Mary/Martha

Introduction:

· Discipleship happens in a busy, messy, kitchen: pots, coffee, food, guests waiting for you

· We relate: Getting dinner ready, homework, etc.; extra shifts; make ends meet… à Resentment!

NOW, LET ME TELL YOU, I THINK MARTHA GETS A BAD RAP.

I) What’s Going On: Identifying with Martha’s Experience

A. Why We Can’t Make Martha The Villain:

i. Is this a showdown between Mary vs. Martha?

1. We often hear: Martha is too busy working, Mary does her devotions

2. To: a busy mom; student w. exams; an accountant in tax seasonàguilt

ii. In Defense of Martha: Our misguided understanding of Martha (vs. 38)

1. Martha’s “Hyper-welcome”: She welcomes you at the door…

2. We need Martha’s: they get laundry done; finish presentations; teach…

B. From Hospitality to Anxiousness: How Service Becomes Slavery

i. When Service Drives us to Distraction (vv. 40x2, à40)

1. Martha’s gift of DIAKONOS & hospitality has become distracting

2. Evil is a privation of Good – a twisting around!

ii. So often, our busyness is a distortion of something good

1. Your busy schedule, your work, your parenting, etc. is all good

2. But something makes you stressed, anxious, worried, resentful;

WHAT IS IT?

II) What’s Really Going On: Diagnosing our Condition

A. A Misdiagnosis: Too Busy!

i. The symptoms: Not enough help!

1. Martha sees the problem as not enough help (vs. 40b)

2. Could the God who made the universe tell Mary to pick up a whisk?

ii. The remedy: Let’s manage the behavior

1. But: Martha is only seeing symptoms

2. So: behavior change: Time management; Marie Kondo

B. A Better Diagnosis: “Worry” (vs. 41)

i. Jesus points to a heart condition:

1. Jesus diagnoses worry as Martha’s true problem

2. Worry reflects the fears of our hearts: Control; Security; validation;

3. EXAMPLE: Hospitality à what will people think of me? Not just busy w. studying, but anxious, because you obsess over college…

ii. The “How are you? Busy!” Syndrome

1. Ultimately: our anxious busyness is our quest for significance, value

2. EXAMPLE: The Atlantic article: Busy is a status symbol, a way of vinding our unique value in all that we (alone) can do!

3. This is why you:

i. can’t take vacation without taking work with you;

ii. feel guilty if not working;

iii. tell people we’re always busy;

iv. add items to our to-do list when they’re done!

v. Over-commit, and can’t say no to people

SO WHAT’S THE REMEDY?

III) What’s the Remedy

A. The Good Portion That Is Ours

i. Jesus’ affection for anxious people (vs. 41)

1. “Martha, Martha” illustrates Jesus’ deep affection for Martha

2. So: For busy, burdened people: Hear Jesus’ heartfor you!!

ii. Jesus’ portion for anxious people: (vs. 42)

1. A play on words…but more: A share, or a portion given to someone

2. What do you have that can never be taken? Union with Christ!

3. So: your “status” is Christ; in him you are whole, complete, enough!

B. Two Implications For Us:

i. Since we aren’t defined by “busyness” your “service” is freed from anxiousness

1. When your “portion” – or status symbol – is Christ, it relives the burden

2. Context: The Good Samaritan reminds us Jesus doesn’t want lazy people; he wants s rested in him so we work out of our rest

ii. Draw close to Christ:

1. Since our strength, joy, & vitality are drawn from Christ, feed this!

2.

Transition:

Conclusion

Draw near to Christ!