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THE MOST IMPORTANT THING [FOR GROWNUPS] - Luke 10:38-42, Amos 8:1-12 - 18/7/2010The Most Important Thing (for Grown ups) by Rev Alan Shaw 11/7/2010 >>2-3> ? How many of us here this morning have had a horde of hungry visitors arrive unexpectedly at the door? Even if they are good friends it suddenly places upon us a burden of hospitality that may not necessarily be convenient. We might find ourselves rushing off to Woolies for supplies while our guests make themselves at home. We might find ourselves getting a little flustered in the kitchen as dinner time approaches – especially if we found ourselves doing all the preparations alone – if nobody gave us a hand. There’s the table to be set – the best crockery & cutlery to lay out - & the special place-mats – & we’ll need the folding chairs from the shed – they’ll have to be cleaned first – do we have enough glasses & cups? ?And what if they stay overnight? Where will they all sleep? >>4>> Our Gospel story today is about unexpected guests - one of them is Jesus. And how the woman of the house handled the situation. The story underlines the need for us as conscientious, growing followers Christ to keep our priorities in order – to maintain our focus on what’s really important in life: our commitment to Jesus. >>5>> Luke records Jesus & his team dropping in on Mary & Martha & Lazarus – in Bethany – a village on the outskirts of Jerusalem where they had joined the hordes of pilgrims that flood that city for the annual Feast of Tabernacles – a week-long festival celebrating the survival of the ancient Israelites in the desert. Jesus had been travelling south from Capernaum through Samaria – enemy territory for a traditional Jew – teaching as he went. Last week we heard the controversial Parable of the Good Samaritan - which would have shocked his Jewish audience. Our story of Mary and Martha reveals some family dynamics that are familiar to us today. >>6>> As the eldest sister of Mary & Lazarus - Martha was used to being in charge – especially in the home. Big sisters tend to be like that. It was natural for task-focussed Martha to take charge in matters such as hospitality – so important to the Jewish people. >>7>> It was just as natural for Mary – reflective, thoughtful, studious - to be totally preoccupied with listening to Jesus. Her deep love for her Master overrode any other considerations or practicalities such as helping her sister. Jesus was the only one in the room as far as Mary was concerned. The Apostle John writes about Mary’s devotion to Jesus: ‘This was the same Mary who later poured perfume on the Lord's head and wiped his feet with her hair.’ [Jn 11:1] There’s no right or wrong in this. God didn’t make us all alike. We were created with different personalities – different temperaments – different gifts & talents. It would be a boring world if we were all the same! But diversity inevitably brings clashes of temperaments! Sometimes with disastrous results! The first murder recorded in the Bible was the result of one person's perception – Cain - that his brother Abel's offering to God was more acceptable than his own. >>8>> And whilst Martha’s strengths included attention to detail – a strong desire to serve – to do things right – to make sure her guests were looked after properly – these strengths became weaknesses when she allowed her desire for perfection to overshadow her ability to be gracious – to show patience & be accepting of others – she became a worrier – she lost the ability to take pleasure in her acts of kindness. She lost the joy...she found it hard to accept that people don’t always share the same standards as hers – especially her sister Mary. Martha’s frustration was a consequence of unrealistic expectations & her intolerance. This is the same Martha that later rushed out to challenge Jesus when he arrived too late to save her brother Lazarus from death. She was disappointed & she let Jesus know it. Questioning his actions, Martha even reminded Jesus that a 4-day-old corpse was well on the way to decomposition. Her attention to detail – her focus on only the practical things - kept her from seeing the bigger picture. And to being sensitive to others’ needs – to what was going on for Jesus. John’s account [Jn 11-12:8] of Jesus’ last visit to their home after Lazarus had been resurrected reveals Martha still serving – she hasn’t stopped serving. Jesus is heading for the final showdown with High Priest Caiaphas & Pilate & Herod in Jerusalem – no doubt with a sense of purpose & a heavy heart as he considered what lay ahead. He’s taking a break amongst close friends from the demanding crowds. All he wants is some brief time out to gather his thoughts. No fuss – no big deal. So often we too want to be kind to people – in OUR own way. And if OUR way isn’t the way that’s needed – we can take offence & think we aren’t appreciated - that our efforts are wasted. >>9>> It can become more about US than about others! If we’re truly wanting to be kind we must first try to see into the heart of others – to discover what it is they really need – laying aside our own ideas of what we think they might need. As members of Christ’s body we’re called to love God first & foremost - & to love others through genuine acts of kindness. Whatever we do in the name of love must be done with patience – persistence – joy – humility – graciousness – sensitivity – thoughtfulness = all the qualities we associate with true love. It must never be self-serving! >>10>> In our OT reading the people to whom the prophet Amos was directing his strong words were just like this – self-serving. The merchants were outwardly observing the religious festivals – but not in the spirit. Just going through the motions for appearance sake. They couldn’t wait for the holy days & Sabbaths to be over so they could go back to making money. Their real interest wasn’t in serving God – or serving others – BUT in serving themselves – through cheating & short-changing & unethical practices. !! If we’re children of God then honouring God can’t just be reserved for Sunday! God deserves better than that! >>11>> Whether we see ourselves as a Mary or a Martha or somewhere in-between – there’s room for all temperaments & personalities in the kingdom. Mary chose the best thing – the most important thing. Jesus said so. Mary understood that listening to Jesus – spending time with Jesus - is more important than anything else in life. She knew that there’s a proper time for being with our Lord - & a proper time for working for him. ! When we’re with him – there can be nothing else but complete devotion. ! And when we work for him our actions must spring from a genuine desire to serve others as though we were serving our Lord Jesus himself. Not just on a Sunday – but every moment of every day. LET US PRAY Dear God – it’s us again. You are a mighty God of love & compassion & forgiveness. Thank you that you love us – even when we turn our backs on you & those you love. Forgive us for pretending to be busy in your service. The false busy-ness we manufacture to make ourselves seem more important The busy-ness in which we hide Because we fear to stand still, to be alone, or even to meet You. Help us to reach beyond ourselves into the lives of others With sensitivity – with love – with patience Help us to become attuned to the real needs of others Not simply what we might decide they need ‘for their own good’ May our hearts beat as one with yours So that we may know your will for us Give us strength & courage to follow your ways. IJN. Amen. |
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