Luke 10:38-40 (ESV)
[38] Now as they went on their
way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her
house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and
listened to his teaching. [40] But 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.”
Jesus had just told a parable
indicating that anyone in need is our neighbor. Now he tells Martha not to
stress over all the work that needs to be done to serve those in her house. I
see a balance here that is necessary in life. It is so easy to become focused
on serving that we neglect listening to the Lord. It can also be easy to justify
listening but not helping. The Good Samaritan story demonstrated the danger of
justifying not helping. The account of Martha and Mary demonstrates the need to
listen.
I’ve heard many in my time say, “I’d
rather burn out for Jesus than rust out.” But there is no glory in either. Jesus
never felt that it was necessary to meet every need. Remember when after
healing many at Peter’s mother-in-law’s house he got up early and went to the hills
to be with the Father. When his disciples found him, they said that everyone was
looking for him, but Jesus said that it was time to move on. There were still
sick people to heal in that village. There were more miracles that could have
been done. There were people to teach. But Jesus moved on after spending time with
the Father.
Some of us feel burdened to meet
every need, heal every broken heart, care for every hurting soul. And that is
good. But if we never care for ourselves, we don’t help anyone. On the other
hand, some of us feel that self-care is so important that we never get around
to helping anyone. Self-care is important but so is service. Jesus said that a
solid foundation is built when we hear his words and do them. The ones to whom
Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan were listening but not doing. Martha
was apparently doing, but not listening. Jesus said to her in verse 41, “Martha,
you are anxious and troubled about many things.” The result of doing without
listening is anxiety. The result of listening without doing is hypocrisy. Neither
honors God.
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