Ok…this entire post may come across as completely inappropriate…it might be better if you know me, and where my brain takes me, and if you were familiar with my pastor. But, here it is anyway…take it or leave it!
I have a weird sense of humor. Sorry. It’s just true.
Here’s the sermon from which my notes originated. The Sermon covers Luke 10:25-42. We are just going to tackle verses 38-42 today. I plan to circle back to 25-27 later. It’s a very important parable, and always relevant.
Yep, it’s from November. If you’ve read any of my previous faith related posts, you know I’m ‘journaling’ scripture…and by journaling, I mean rewriting. And I’m a little behind in that. But, I sort of like being so behind because I’m able to revisit those sermon notes and thoughts.
This is journal I am using for the Book of Luke :
38Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named John 11:1, 19, 20; 12:2, 3Martha welcomed him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42, ESV
Something I wrote down from the sermon: ‘Don’t miss this: SHE WALKED UP TO THE SON OF GOD!’ Can you even imagine walking up to Jesus and saying, ‘Dude, do you see her? I’m doing all the all the work here…what the heck?’ That’s how I kind of picture this scenario. Because that’s a common frustration. Among couples, among roommates, among coworkers, among siblings, you name it…wherever there are two or more people…someone will inevitably feel slighted. We forget our place.
Y’all, do you see it? She walked up to the Son of God and complained about her sister and what she wasn’t doing…lifting herself up…Pastor said: ‘Oh, we are so dumb.’
Can you just imagine if Jesus weren’t who He is? The things that would be going through a human mind…Like, ‘Girl, do you EVEN know who I am?? Do you? Are we really going there right now?’
And this is what went through my head as I was rewriting this scripture…and the part where I might offend… please don’t take it too seriously…I had maybe been spending a little too much time on TikTok that week…keep reading…
Ok. But, see, Jesus didn’t say that. Nor would he EVER, ever, ever, ever say that. Because he’s Jesus. What did he do? He gently and kindly soothed Martha. And eased her worries. And reminded her that Mary had, in fact, made a good choice, despite Martha’s frustrations. He reminded her that she was in the presence of God…that this is a time for her to LISTEN and LEARN. That’s not always easy to do, is it? And yet, every motivational speaker, every leadership expert, every counselor, every…well…you get the idea…will tell you to LISTEN. You always have something to learn. Always.
Take these thoughts, also, from this brief passage…
Martha was loving her neighbor through acts of service.
Mary was loving God by listening and learning.
There is always a bigger picture. Every single interaction, engagement, act…will be used by God…whether it was brought to us by him, or by the sin of the world. Let’s be a loving contribution to that picture. Let’s don’t be dumb, OK?
Both of these are essential to growth. Both of these are required by God. Both of these are, quite simply, regardless of your faith, good for everyone. These are not trivial ‘rules.’ These are commandments that we should strive to follow.
I know that I have done a great deal of listening over the last couple of weeks, and not a lot of speaking. Just enough to say that I am here, and I hear you, and I see you, and I will say your name. I am learning from my brothers and sisters, and I am learning from God. I am learning new things, and I am reminded of things I already knew. I am seeing things from perspectives I never imagined and I hope that you are doing the same.
Love you neighbor as yourself. This means, of course, that you must first love yourself. You can do this because God loves you. Love God, and your neighbor, by listening and learning. Be conscious of where you get your information. Be aware of what is true, and what is not. Be aware of hidden agendas. Listen to truth. Have genuine, real conversations. Ask the questions if you have them and, most importantly, listen for the answers.
This year that we keep trying to escape will now go down in history, I hope, as the year America woke up.
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We have much to learn from these two sisters, who Jesus deeply loved. I, too, am thankful for a kind and gentle Savior.
amen.