Have a "Mary" Christmas
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Introduction: The holiday season in America has become easily one of the busiest times of the year. As soon as Halloween passes, many families transition into full holiday mode by decorating their homes and yards. I find it interesting how, in my observation, it would appear that Thanksgiving is more of an afterthought while Christmas seems to take center stage. Now, this might be okay, considering the true meaning of Christmas, if the observance and celebration of Christmas truly emphasized Jesus and His incarnation. However, this does not appear to be the case.
Christmas in American culture is hardly recognizable as the commemoration of the birth of Christ. It seems to be much more about decorations, gifts, parties, and food. In fact, one need only to look at the difference between the number of devoted Christians in America and the number of people who celebrate Christmas. This glaring difference in these two figures gives a clear indication that a growing number of people in America celebrate Christmas only because it is a culturally accepted (almost expected) practice. Here’s an unpopular opinion for you: If you don’t follow Jesus, you have no reason to celebrate Christmas.
Context: Look at Luke 10:25-37. Jesus has just been approached by a lawyer who attempts to catch him in his response to a question. He is convinced (apparently) that he is able to justify himself in the sight of God. Jesus asks him what he understands the Law [of Moses] to say about inheriting eternal life. The lawyer’s response is correct so Jesus tells him simply to do what it says. Evidently, this was not enough for the lawyer. He asks for some clarification because he wanted “to justify himself” (Luke 10:29).
Jesus responds to this request by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-36). The lesson to be learned from the parable is to show mercy to everyone because everyone is your neighbor. The lawyer was hoping to be selective in his application of mercy and kindness. This, however, is not the way. Eternal life is inherited. It is not earned. This brings us to the account of Jesus being welcomed into the home of Martha and Mary in the village of Bethany.
1. Two Sisters
1. Two Sisters
Martha appears to be the owner of the home and, therefore, the older sibling
Her sister’s name is Mary
2. Two Choices
2. Two Choices
Mary was “seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word.”
Martha was distracted with “much service”; Leon Morris calls it “unnecessarily elaborate provision” (Morris, Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 3, TNTC, 210).
Martha approached Jesus to complain about the current situation
“Lord, do You not care...”; Martha has a problem with Jesus
“My sister has left me to do all the serving alone”; Martha has a problem with Mary
Martha’s solution is for Jesus to instruct Mary to help out
3. One Priority
3. One Priority
Jesus responds to Martha with care and compassion; “Martha, Martha...”
Martha is “worried” and “bothered” about so many things (Luke 10:41)
μεριμνάω - to have an anxious concern, based on apprehension about possible danger or misfortune—‘to be worried about, to be anxious about.’ [Louw Nida 25.225]
θορυβάζω - to be emotionally upset by a concern or anxiety—‘to be troubled, to be distressed, to be upset.’ [Louw Nida 25.234]
John Cassian: “To cling always to God and to the things of God—this must be our major effort, this must be the road that the heart follows unswervingly. Any diversion, however impressive, must be regarded as secondary, low-grade and certainly dangerous” (Arthur A. Just, ed., Luke, Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, 183).
Jesus tells Martha “one thing is necessary” (Luke 10:42)
Jesus points out that “Mary has chosen the good part”; it will not be taken away from her
Leon Morris: “Life has few real necessities and at need we can do without much on which we lavish time...It is the attitude of dependence on Jesus that matters” (Morris, Luke: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 3, TNTC, 210).
Conclusion: “The way of Jesus is one of devotion and dedication, both in following him and in heralding him. But the way is not, on that account, a matter of assiduous ‘religion’ and frenzied service, of busy-ness and incessant good works. It means not achievement, but commitment; not activities, but attitudes; not quantity, but quality” (Michael Wilcock, The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel, 123).
“All the striving after spiritual achievement must die—all the supposition that eternal life is obtained, and God is pleased, by our much doing. When Jesus expects us to follow him all the way, he means not a frenzy of religious activity undertaken in our own strength, but the total abandonment of ourselves to him, for him to work in us both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Michael Wilcock, The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel, 124).