Listening to a great sermon on “Distractions”, about Martha and Mary, was perfect for my commute home – especially the part about not being distracted while driving. Oh yes, the small distractions, the human existence we live… Sermon starts at the 45 minute mark, found this church googling a few months ago – it is so nice that Jesus is universal, and so are the lessons of how to live. https://youtu.be/mqtdhw_ZWm8

My take home messages besides the distracted driving which unfortunately we are all tempted to do, were that distractions keeping Martha away from visiting with Jesus were exactly what Martha suffered, and she even started demanding Jesus do something, even though she knew He was Lord, He was God and also a revered teacher. She was demanding for her sister to stop what she was doing and come help. Martha was blinded by Martha’s agenda. This Pastor said the tone Jesus took was soft and “look, you are SO distracted.” – not harsh as some would say. Mary was allowed to sit at Jesus’s feet (unusual at those times for women to be included and mixed in with the men for the teaching of rabbi teacher-types) demonstrated, like the woman at the well, that Jesus’s message was for everyone equally, not restricted.  

Here is the part that touched me deeply in a healing way: JESUS WILL NOT BE TAKEN AWAY. I get to ponder the blessings that I have by my virtual sitting at the feet of Jesus, by insights and wonderment. I get to ponder my blessings and NOT whether I deserve them or not. Sometimes I think of work that I THINK that I should be doing instead of writing so much, and yes speaking of Jesus, understanding His love, certainly I could never be listening enough. Jesus said: “Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42 NIV

This reads differently in the King James Version: Jesus says: “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

How wonderful and healing is that? Pondering allowed. If it seems like “overindulging” in studying and sharing Jesus, I think Jesus says to soothe that worry too. How could the Lord NOT be setting aside time for us to simply be with Him. He has created early morning quiet times, sometimes 4am wake-up calls after plenty of sleep to give me no worries that I am taking away time from my actual and perceived jobs. Even the cat often comes sit with me while I am writing rather than bite me to get me up to play. Even the cat is resting and watching…

Mary and Martha too (and Lazarus) were such deep close friends with Jesus that they felt comfortable with Him. Martha especially felt comfortable enough even to complain (so do we). In a busy household like that, did Jesus slip into the kitchen to chat with her specifically so that no one else heard? In a crowded house, how did Martha get the full attention of Jesus at that moment? BECAUSE JESUS WAS LOOKING FOR HER.

Martha also chose that evening to use her freedom to speak – to release her stress on Jesus maybe because He was the only one who actually came to seek her out. Martha chose to confide. Jesus wants us to confide in Him too. Martha could have continued being distracted and disgruntled all evening and taken it out on Mary after all the guests left, but if Martha did not approach Jesus then Jesus went to Martha to intervene, seeing her still preparing even though the party has already started (how many of us do that? yeah, guilty as charged), Jesus had given full attention to Martha to give us another example of His healing power. He soothed a situation BEFORE it exploded. Isn’t that why Jesus singled out Martha – and continues to single each of us out for intervention?

Jesus grabs our attention and it is not for temporary gain – but for eternal keeping.  James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James in chapter 5 tells us: “8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.” KJV…  Yes, be ready for the Lord, prepare your hearts. Jesus has already intervened for us, with us, for us, saving us, as we now have to keep paying attention.

Jesus wants us all at His party, He wants the Mary’s and Martha’s. He wants us.

Jesus will not be taken away. For all of us He says: “Rest”. For all of us He would intervene to bring us rest, For all of us, Jesus will not be taken away!!! The quietness is a gift, the readiness is a command, the PEACE? that is Jesus 100%.

Amen and Peace