Over and against The Sound of Silence (my 9/9/07 sermon) there is the Buzz of Busy-ness: the seemingly infinite list of things vying for attention. Tasks to be finished. Duties to be performed. Accounts to be settled.
St. Augustine argued that no material thing could be inherently good or bad; only our abuse of an object could turn it into something bad as we make it an idol or pervert its original purpose. Many of the voices clamoring for attention are potentially good—even noble—activities worthy of our best effort (e.g. parenting, marriage, jobs, civic duties, church) but how do we keep our priorities straight amid the clamor?
Commentary
v40 Truly a bad translation. The NIV takes the Greek word diakonia and translates it as "the preparations that had to be made." Diakonia is a common NT word meaning "humble acts of service," ranging from serving food to widows (Acts 6:1) to ministry within a church (Acts 6:4). Do you see the word "deacon" in diakonia? Deacons are the ones performing acts of service within the church.
What would you do if Jesus came to your house for dinner? Martha sees herself as serving Jesus even as a priest serves God in the temple. Food preparation, cleaning, decorating, etc. has all taken on a high, exalted purpose in Martha’s mind ... but has she made it into something more than it should be?
Martha confronts Jesus: Do you care? This question lurks behind many confrontations with Jesus; sometimes the question is explicit (e.g. Jesus calming the storm) and sometimes the question is implied (e.g. Lazarus, blind Bartimaeus, or the Syro-Phoenician woman). Like Martha, when we find ourselves feeling abandoned, the question, "Do you care?" leads to doubt, "Does it make any difference?"
v42 "Taken away" is not nearly aggressive enough to convey the force here. Sins (Luke 1:25), jobs (Luke 16:3), God’s word & salvation (Rev. 22:19) ... even ears (Luke 22:50) are taken away by force. The busy-ness of life—even busy-ness of good deeds and service to God—must not be allowed to rob us of time spent with God.
Application
Only one thing is needed—not what we bring to God, but what God brings to us: a word from God which makes the Spirit of Christ abound in us. A word of forgiveness: You are forgiven. A word of instruction: Blessed are the children of God. A word of correction: Let it be. A word of hope: I know you. The word must be fresh each day, for the word is for today’s walk, today’s troubles, today’s encouragement.
Points to Ponder
What is your heart attitude when you are busy at church?
What are your good and noble duties in the world? Check your heart attitude. What drives you now?
Would your attitude about spending time with God change if you realized how much God cares about you and the time you spend with him? Ask God to show you how much he DOES care!
End Notes
1 - Talk about serendipity. A Christianity Today article this week was on this exact topic: The Good Life: Augustine says we must love the very best the most.
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