Who's the Lazy One, Really?
Scripture Reading — Luke 10:38-42
"Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
October begins on a Monday this year, and that probably gladdens the hearts of many task-oriented, list-keeping, get-it-done workers among us. Months that begin on a Saturday or a Sunday get off to a slow start, don't they? With a Monday start, you can get lots of work done by the end of the first day!
Martha would have liked a Monday start. She liked getting things done and checking them off her to-do list. She was a hard worker, anxious about many things, and eager to get them taken care of. So when Jesus came to stay at her home, Martha's to-do list grew as her busy hands flew! If only her sister Mary would get up and help her! But Mary was listening to Jesus teach. "Lord," an exasperated Martha finally said to Jesus, "tell my sister that she needs to get up and get busy!"
But who is actually being lazy? Jesus says that Mary is doing what "busy" Martha should also be doing: sitting at his feet and listening to his teaching. That's where the real work is-the work of fixing one's eyes and ears on Jesus as he shapes one's heart, mind, and hands for God and his kingdom. Mary, says Jesus, is doing what is better.
This month we are going to join Mary in her work. We are going to sit at Jesus' feet to listen, watch, and learn. Let's get busy...
Open our hearts and minds, Holy Spirit. We want to see, hear, and be changed by Jesus. We want to be busier with that important work than with anything else on earth. Amen.
About the author — David Den Haan
Pastor Dave Den Haan has served at Fairway Christian Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan, since 1999. Previously he served a church in Minnesota. Dave and his wife, Connie, have three children.
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