Everett Henes: The busyness of life

Life is busy and sometimes it is crazy busy. This is something that a lot of people can understand. I remember talking with people in the community, inviting them to church to hear God’s word, only to be given their list of all that they must do. The implication is that if they were able to get it all done, then they would finally have time to come and listen. I can certainly relate to this. I live a fairly busy life, pastoring a church, teaching college classes, and spending my day off teaching Taekwondo to kids. But what if it’s not a question of time. We all have the same 168 hours per week, no more and no less. What if it’s not time, but a matter of priorities. In Luke 10:38-42 we find an illustration of this.

The text is short enough to quote in full: Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 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.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

There are three main characters in our story. Martha, Mary and Jesus. Our cultural placement does not allow us to understand just how significant this is. Women were not considered disciples of religious followers. In fact, there is some amazing language used regarding women from that time – one writer said that it was better to burn the Torah than put it in the hands of a woman. But we have seen over and over that Jesus does not conform to the expectations around him.

Of course, the only people mentioned are these three but undoubtedly, there were many more in Jesus’ company. At the very least, he would have had the other 12 disciples with him. Certainly, such a visit to Martha’s home would require attention. Mary, though, is content to sit and listen to the words of Jesus. What does this mean? It is not as though there are disciples present and Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet as some sort of groupie. To ‘sit at one’s feet’ meant that you were a disciple of that person.

Martha, for her part, has chosen to be “distracted with much serving.” The word that is used here by Luke is the same one that appears repeatedly in the book Ecclesiastes and speaks of being drawn, or pulled, away from the things that are truly important. This is the fact of life – there are always things that can be considered more important.

For Martha, the things that have captivated her and drawn her away from the discussion have also emboldened her. She believes that what she must take care of is of such importance that Mary must stop what she is doing and help. Martha makes a demand of Jesus. We likely all can relate to Martha, and we can feel the weight of her words. She is drowning in work that she believes must be done!

Jesus knows Martha’s faith and her desire to serve. Her Lord is gentle when he rebukes her. There are many ways to teach at this moment. You can imagine that the scene is tense. Jesus has stopped his teaching; everyone has heard Martha’s words and they are now looking at Jesus for his answer. ‘Martha, Martha’ Jesus says, “You are anxious and troubled about many things.” Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter: anxiety and trouble. The words that Jesus chooses to use expose Martha’s heart. This word points to the emotional disturbance of the situation. Martha has allowed things to get to the point of breaking. Jesus’ words are both a comfort and a gentle rebuke, “But one thing is necessary.” I believe what Jesus is teaching here is that when he is in their presence, teaching them, that is a moment to set aside everything else and to listen to his words. Life is busy and there will always be things that need to be done, but one thing is needful. Jesus’ words must have priority.

— Everett Henes, pastor of Hillsdale Orthodox Presbyterian Church, may be reached [email protected].