Word@Work Luke173 - Luke 10:38-42
Published: Fri, 08/20/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
PRIORITY REACTION
Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." (NIV)
Two sisters let Jesus come into their home, but the way they treated Him was very different. Martha believed that it was most important to leave Jesus in the room and go to prepare the meal; Mary believed that listening to what Jesus had to say to her was more important than anything she could do for Him. Eventually, Martha protested to Jesus that she was doing all the work while Mary was apparently being idle: worse than that, she accused the Lord of being uncaring towards her by encouraging Mary to listen to Him.
Jesus was gentle in His rebuke - but it was a rebuke. Firstly he addressed her restless soul, "you are worried and upset about many things". That day's episode was just the tip of the iceberg: it was a symptom of her unsatisfied soul which was urging her into feverish activity in the hope of being appreciated and loved. Secondly, Jesus told her that instead of rushing around trying to make everything right (which would never be successful anyway), one thing was essential - to be willing to receive what He had to tell her. Thirdly, Jesus commended Mary's determination to welcome the words of Jesus as a first priority; that would have enduring value.
Most people think that they are defined by what they do: and for many, their identity becomes merged with their role at work. But that is not true. We are best defined by our reactions, because they expose our motivations and the desires of our hearts. With care and discipline we can present ourselves in whatever light we choose - like actors on a stage (the Greek word for 'actor' is 'hypocrite'); but when life's circumstances catch us off-guard we reveal our true nature. Those who choose to listen to Jesus as a first priority will find themselves being changed from within: their restlessness will be quietened and they will find that the Lord's love is far more satisfying than their futile attempts to gain self-approval and the applause of others. That is why starting the day with Word@Work has proved to be an essential ingredient in the working lives of many thousands around the world every day. If that good habit has been overtaken by anxiety, it is time to remember your first priority of letting the Lord's Word work in you, before you work with others.
Prayer: Life-giving Lord. Thank You for this reminder that I cannot live satisfactorily without receiving Your truth and submitting to Your authority. Please forgive me for the many times I have assumed that I can 'put on a good show' to impress You and others, when You really wanted me to listen to You and leave all my restlessness at Your feet. Forgive me too, when I have allowed my work to become my identity, forgetting that my true identity as a child of God comes from my relationship with You. Please help me to desire fellowship with You even more than doing things for You; and to make my daily Bible reading and prayer time, a major priority. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Two sisters let Jesus come into their home, but the way they treated Him was very different. Martha believed that it was most important to leave Jesus in the room and go to prepare the meal; Mary believed that listening to what Jesus had to say to her was more important than anything she could do for Him. Eventually, Martha protested to Jesus that she was doing all the work while Mary was apparently being idle: worse than that, she accused the Lord of being uncaring towards her by encouraging Mary to listen to Him.
Jesus was gentle in His rebuke - but it was a rebuke. Firstly he addressed her restless soul, "you are worried and upset about many things". That day's episode was just the tip of the iceberg: it was a symptom of her unsatisfied soul which was urging her into feverish activity in the hope of being appreciated and loved. Secondly, Jesus told her that instead of rushing around trying to make everything right (which would never be successful anyway), one thing was essential - to be willing to receive what He had to tell her. Thirdly, Jesus commended Mary's determination to welcome the words of Jesus as a first priority; that would have enduring value.
Most people think that they are defined by what they do: and for many, their identity becomes merged with their role at work. But that is not true. We are best defined by our reactions, because they expose our motivations and the desires of our hearts. With care and discipline we can present ourselves in whatever light we choose - like actors on a stage (the Greek word for 'actor' is 'hypocrite'); but when life's circumstances catch us off-guard we reveal our true nature. Those who choose to listen to Jesus as a first priority will find themselves being changed from within: their restlessness will be quietened and they will find that the Lord's love is far more satisfying than their futile attempts to gain self-approval and the applause of others. That is why starting the day with Word@Work has proved to be an essential ingredient in the working lives of many thousands around the world every day. If that good habit has been overtaken by anxiety, it is time to remember your first priority of letting the Lord's Word work in you, before you work with others.
Prayer: Life-giving Lord. Thank You for this reminder that I cannot live satisfactorily without receiving Your truth and submitting to Your authority. Please forgive me for the many times I have assumed that I can 'put on a good show' to impress You and others, when You really wanted me to listen to You and leave all my restlessness at Your feet. Forgive me too, when I have allowed my work to become my identity, forgetting that my true identity as a child of God comes from my relationship with You. Please help me to desire fellowship with You even more than doing things for You; and to make my daily Bible reading and prayer time, a major priority. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
W@WLuke173 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2010 | Provided by BeaconLight | Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group