Sunday May 19, 2019
Distracted Devotion
Mary and Martha were sisters who lived in the village of Bethany, a suburb of Jerusalem. It appears that Martha was the elder, thus she felt more deeply about the domestic responsibilities of keeping house and the demands of providing hospitality. On this occasion, Martha was complaining to Jesus that Mary was not helping her. That was true…but there is a greater truth.
When I think of Martha one word comes to mind…distracted. Actually, that word describes most of us in the body of Christ today. We all have legitimate concerns about life and family, money and responsibilities, church and serving. And just like Martha, Jesus does not deny nor negate our daily activities, but is concerned with them becoming a distraction, a worry, or a trouble. Martha’s desire to be a proper hostess caused her to under emphasize the one thing that was truly needed…the words of Jesus.
Scriptures indicate that Martha also sat at the feet of Jesus (Luke 10:39) and that Mary also served (Luke 10:40). Both women reveal unique spiritual gifts with which they lovingly serve God. In fact, Jesus did not rebuke either of them for serving or commend either of them for sitting and listening. But the next verse reveals Jesus’ concern. (Se WORD WISDOM for a deeper study of listen)
And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. (Lk.10:41)
Jesus was concerned was that Martha’s “worry and trouble” over little things led to her failure to find the “one thing that was needed.” The work we do to serve our Savior at home and in the church is good and wonderful. We want to volunteer at church and we want to take care of our families at home, but let’s not forget what is better and what is truly needed. There is a danger if we regularly fail to sit at Jesus’ feet that we will not know how to serve Him. Our service becomes what we want to do rather than what He wants us to do.
God has given us “everything pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Pet.1:3) in His Word. The Scriptures tell us, like newborn babes, to “long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation. (1 Pet.2:2)
But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Tim.3:14-17).
Mary chose the good portion, to dine at Jesus’ feet, listening to His Word. She would still have that long after the meal was forgotten. Mary was practicing the words of Deuteronomy 8:3, that “man does not live by bread alone, but…by everything that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.”
When we seek His presence in prayer, enter His presence through worship, or move in His presence through serving, we must be mindful of Martha. We cannot attempt to please God with a whirlwind of words or a frenetic show of praise. We must not allow the demands of our daily needs to overshadow our eternal need for Him.
Both Mary and Martha were in the presence of God. Both served Him, loved Him, and honored Him. Both shared an intimacy with the Lord and talked openly with Him. Both were loved and adored by Him. Yet, Jesus Himself said that “Mary had chosen the good part.” What was the “good part?” Martha had God’s attention…but Mary had God’s face. That will always be the better part of our relationship with our Lord, our Savior, our Jesus…my heart, His face.
Distraction causes the heart and attentions to be driven away into another direction and draws us apart. Devotion is a matter of developing an intimate relationship with the living God, experiencing the warmth and power of a life that draws near to the heart and face of God. Be devoted…not distracted. Amen.