Yesterday I was standing in a long line of weary Christmas shoppers. As I looked at the faces surrounding me I could see stress levels rising like steam from a Christmas turkey. Many of us love this time of year, but the holiday season brings a lengthy “to do” list along with it. By the time the gifts are bought, the house is decorated, food is cooked, and every party is attended, it’s possible to be so exhausted that the birth of Christ is a mere afterthought. If we allow that to happen, we’ll have missed Christmas. There’s a good chance we’ll be grumpy too. Sadly, there’s been years I’ve missed Christmas. I refuse to do it again. A passage in Luke 10:38-42 speaks of how to avoid this trap during the holidays and every day of the year.
“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 named 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 with many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Some of us can relate to Martha. What woman hasn’t experienced at least one episode of feeling like a kitchen martyr? If you’re a type-A personality like I am who loves to tackle a long list, it’s easy to understand how Martha could accuse Mary of being a slacker and ask Jesus to straighten her out. But Jesus doesn’t correct Mary. Instead, He has a conversation with Martha.
Hospitality in the first century was an enormous responsibility and the task fell solely to women. Jesus understood that Martha was simply fulfilling her obligatory role to be a good host. No doubt, she wanted to be thought well of and fulfill cultural expectations. (Can anybody relate?) But Jesus’ ministry opened up new opportunities for women to learn and be included. For the first time, women had the opportunity to sit at the Rabbi’s feet. It was a new day and it was groundbreaking.
Jesus replied, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled with many things, but one thing is necessary.”
It’s tempting to read Jesus’ response and assume He was reprimanding her, but He wasn’t. In Semitic language, repeating someone’s name communicated the intention of showing compassion and comfort. In modern-day terms, it would be like saying, “Dear Martha.”
Jesus was inviting Martha to leave the kitchen and come to Bible study. He encouraged her to temporarily leave her place of service and take her place at His table. This invitation didn’t mean she would be abandoning a life of service. Far from it. He was calling her to a relationship with Him that would be her greatest delight and fuel for her service. He was inviting her to know Him, to fellowship with Him, and to love Him. Jesus was offering Himself to Martha.
He does the same for us.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mathew 11:28-30).
One thing is necessary and I’m not willing to miss it. I hope you won’t either. It’s not under the tree, it can’t be found at the mall, it won’t be served at the table.
It’s Jesus. Let’s not miss Him this Christmas.
