As we approach the 8th Sunday after Pentecost we find the three assigned readings to be Genesis 18:1-14; Colossians 1:21-29 and Luke 10:38-42. The chosen text to preach about is Luke 10:41, “And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.’”
Some passages are more difficult than others to preach about by first getting the laity confused. This is a no brainer in accomplishing that goal. Those of you who have been following this blog for some years now may have figured out the style we employ in most sermons. We attempt to find the “contradiction” in the text which then leads to confusing the laity which confusion is ovecome only through the use of Law and Gospel. One of the best ways to begin the confusion is by means of a question to the old Adam. So here goes.
“When you come home from work (shopping, school, etc.) what do you think God would prefer you to do? Read the newspaper or read the Bible?” Such a question places the hearer in a real dilemma. He expects that the correct answer is “to read the Bible” but the hesitation comes about because he knows he prefers to read the paper or look at the news on TV. Which then leads to the text and in this case the event of Jesus’ visit to the home ofMartha and Mary.
Because the old Adam interprets the Bible through the prism of trying to find principles of life in order to keep score of how righteous we are, it is quite sensible that most people find a principle of life in this Martha and Mary visit. It is that when we have a choice between listening to Jesus and doing something else, we should listen to Jesus. So the conclusion that we ought to read the Bible rather than the paper when we come home from work.
However, from a Law and Gospel perspective, when God criticizes someone it is never just for a sin committed. It is also for the unbelief behind that sin. It is not that Martha is angry with Mary for not helping out. Martha is troubled with the attitude of Jesus. Listen to her words with special emphasis provided: “Lord, do you NOT CARE that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore TELL HER to help me.”
Here is a creature telling off the Creator! This is not a simple temper tantrum from one sister to another. It is an assault against Jesus as being true God. We would venture to say that had Martha continued to do the work of serving while listening with one ear to the words of Jesus without any rancor against Mary, then there woud have been no criticism from Jesus. One of the wonderful rediscoveries about the Reformation is that a fruit of the Holy Spirit is not necessarily only a spiritual work. It also can be a temporal work such as the changing of the baby’s diaper or making a dinner.
No, it’s not a sin to read the paper rather than the Bible when you arrive home. It is not just a matter of priorities but an understanding of doing all things from a Christ-centered motivation. And when we sin, we can flee to the cross and hear the words addressed to each of us, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
Name:Tom Baker