Dear family in Christ, do you love the Lord but sometimes get so busy you don’t have much time for Him? Are you one of those people who would like to worship more often but are so pressured by a busy schedule that you only end up in frustration? Are you a ‘Martha’?
That’s right! The familiar story is before us again. Mary and Martha. Martha does all the work. Mary sits and listens to Jesus. Mary is praised, Martha is criticized, or at least it seems that way. The Lord knows over the years I have sufficiently tarnished Martha’s character, even though I must admit that I have been much like her all along. Well, it is time to bring a little bit of balance into this.
It is no coincidence that Luke places the account of Mary and Martha right after the Good Samaritan parable. The good Samaritan engaged in action, helping the injured victim. Jesus ended the parable by saying, Go and do likewise! That story teaches us to “walk the talk;” this one, to “talk the walk,” or at least engage in a conversation. Together, these two Bible lessons call us to maintain balance in our lives.
There is a physical side of life and a spiritual side of life, and for as long as we wake up every morning we need to keep them in proper balance. Otherwise, we are liable to become full-time religious philosophers or stressed out workoholics burning the candle at both ends.
Let’s look at the story again. Jesus and His disciples came to a village where a woman named Martha invited them into her house. Jesus and His disciples – that’s at least 13 people, maybe more. It was a custom of that day, even a sacred duty, to extend full hospitality to a visitor, which certainly included a meal. In many cultures that custom prevails till this day.
In our Old Testament lesson we learned how Abraham treated his special visitors. He provided water for them to wash their feet, had Feta cheese and milk brought in, Sarah baked bread, and servants were preparing the Wiener Schnitzel.
Well, Martha probably didn’t have to prepare a fatted calf, but with so many people coming, she certainly had her hands full. Martha was between the proverbial rock and a hard place. On the one hand, she loved the Lord; on the other, she accepted the obligation of a hostess. I don’t think she was trying to show off by fixing some extravagant meal. The text talks about all the preparations that had to be made.
Just imagine what it would be like if 13, 15, or 20 people converged on your house and you had to feed them. But – no Pizza Hut, no Kentucky Fried Chicken, no freezer, no microwave. Everything from scratch, cooked over the fire. Alone. Yeah, she didn’t count on little sister deserting her.
Do you know what it’s like to cook food when you have to kill it first? Have you ever plucked a chicken by hand? Here is a little tip: dip it first in boiling water. It makes the feathers come out easier. And I don’t have to share details about what you have to do next before the chicken is ready for cooking. Folks, this is no Galloping Gourmet! Don’t tell me you don’t sympathize with Martha!
The poor woman suddenly realized that no matter how hard she tried, she would not be able to do it all by herself. Frustration set it. First, it’s the “poor me” syndrome. “Oh dear, I am left here all alone to do all this work, and no one will come to help me,” usually accompanied by deep and loud sighs.
Soon, feeling sorry for herself turns to resentment. “Would you look at that lazy Mary! What does she think she is? Some kind of a princess? Doesn’t she know she is supposed to be here?” Every once in a while she throws the stink eye in Mary’s direction, who is just sitting there listening totally oblivious to what is going on in the kitchen. Then, resentment turns to anger that grows by the minute. You can feel the tension building up. Finally, poof! The lid goes off. Wide eyed, veins popping, she throws the apron on the ground, she marches into the living room and reads the riot act – not to her sister, but to Jesus! “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
Do any of you recognize yourselves? I do. Been there, done that. Let’s analyze what happened to see what we can learn from it. First of all, Martha bit off more than she could chew. Has that ever happen to you? You took on more responsibilities that you could handle? How often we get ourselves into trouble because we don’t know how to say “No,” or think we can carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. In Martha’s case, this episode happened after Jesus miraculously fed the five thousand. Don’t you think He could have just as easily feed 20 people? But Martha thought it was her responsibility.
Have you ever prayed for a miracle and five minutes later you took things into your own hands? How can we expect God to bless us with a miracle if we don’t let Him? Notice something here: The Lord did not volunteer to perform a miracle. He let Martha do her own thing, probably wondering how long before she goes bananas. Do any of you recognize yourselves? I do.
Next: Beware of the “poor me” syndrome! There are, of course, times for genuine laments, must most often we feel sorry for ourselves because we have created a mess and don’t know how to ask for help. And sometimes we don’t want to ask for help because we want things done our way, Amen? Martha could have softly stepped into the room where Jesus was teaching and whisper to Mary’s ear, “I really need your help; can you come?” Wouldn’t that be better than slamming the countertop with a zucchini?
Another thing we can learn from the story is watch out for runaway anger! Don’t let your anger build up to a boiling point. There are people in prisons, may even on death row because their anger went poof! The Bible teaches in Proverbs 29:11 A foolish person gives full vent to his anger, but the wise keep themselves under control. Have you ever acted in anger and later felt really foolish? Martha blew up and dumped her misdirected anger on the Lord for something that was really her own fault. Do any of you recognize yourselves? I do.
Let’s face it, folks, Martha represents our own humanness So let’s not be too harsh on her. Jesus wasn’t. The Lord defused the situation with His calm and peace. He didn’t answer, “How dare you talk to me that way?!” No, He gently said, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.
The Greek for “anxious and troubled about many things” is “being pulled in all directions.” Martha, Martha, you are being pulled in all directions. I know you are stressed out. Stop for a while. Take a break. It doesn’t matter whether we eat now or an hour later. You too choose what is better and let me bring some peace into your life.
Are you being pulled in all directions these days? Many of us will be when school starts again. Let us learn from Martha and from Mary. Let’s find the time to sit at the feet of Jesus. Let Him bring some balance into our busy lives.
Learn to prioritize. The best way is to plan our daily agendas. Try to organize your time. You will be amazed what sensible time management can do for stress prevention. Schedule your devotions and prayer time into your daily agenda and stick to it. If you can’t squeeze everything in, then let something else go. We don’t need to do it all, but we do need to keep the good portion that Mary has chosen – the quiet times at the feet of Jesus. How much time? For some, it is 10-15 minutes reading a page in a devotional booklet and a prayer in the morning. For others it may be an hour that also includes Bible reading and study, especially if they own a Self-Study Bible. Some listen to the Bible on tapes, others find the time to meditate on God’s gracious promises during a lunch break. Still others get closer to Jesus by singing praises to him in songs. Try and see what works for you. But please, try something. I promise you won’t be sorry.
It will deepen your personal relationship with the Lord, enrich your faith, reward you with joy and balance that we so desperately need in our busy and stressful lives.
Let Jesus soothe your anxious heart with the assurance of His love and care for you. Let His special peace settle upon you. Let His strength encourage you, let His tender compassion comfort you. Let His light guide you, let His truth keep you in the brightness of hope. Let His faithful word give you confidence. All this will be yours, when you sit at the feet of Jesus.
Perhaps you came here anxious and troubled this morning. Perhaps you are being pulled in every direction. Perhaps you came in here tense and stressed. Choose the good portion. Relax your arms, your legs, close your eyes, and hear the words of Jesus. Hear them and let them touch your heart.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
I have come so that you may have life and have it abundantly.
Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink or about your body what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Ask, and it will be given you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.
Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or, if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask of Him.
I am the bread of life. Those who come to me will never go hungry and those who believe in me will never be thirsty.
I am the good Shepherd. My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
I am the resurrection and the life. I am the way, the truth, and the life.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.
I will not leave you desolate; I will come to you.
Take and eat, this is my body given for you. Take and drink, this is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people, for the forgiveness of sins.
And lo, I am with you always, till the end of times.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, Amen
