Year 3 Day 144

Year 3 Day 144


Read — Luke 10.38-42


Message - Scott Woodburn


“First posted Year 1 Day 17 - 7 April" 


This extended time of isolation has changed the pace of life dramatically. Life once had its structure, working hours, exercise time, runs to and from church, school buses etc Suddenly we have been urged to stay at home and every day has taken on a unfamiliar hue. We’ve become home schoolers and DIYers and sofa sitters! Yet one thing is necessary...fellowship with the Lord. With more time on our hands may we spend more time at Christ’s feet. That’s where we find Mary. Christ has come to her house (v38) and she plants herself at the feet of Jesus and listens to His teaching (v39). Her sister Martha on the other hand is busy. She’s distracted with much serving (v40a) and understandably so. Christ has come, there’s work to do, food to prepare, guests to serve. Martha is attending to the work in front of her and calls upon the Lord to get Mary to help (v40b). Jesus answers her with gentleness, He is not making a fool out of her and he isn’t belittling her work ethic. Instead with a concern for her soul He answers “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things” Christ knows this woman’s heart, she is a worker and Jesus knows her troubles. What she needs is a bit of help. Surely Jesus will now tell Mary to get up. She’s had enough teaching, its time for her to get her hands dirty and take the weight from her sister’s shoulders. Yet Christ’s reply is to tell Martha that “one thing is necessary” (v42a), Mary is attending to the good portion and it won’t be taken from her (v42b). What is this necessary thing? Fellowship with the Lord. Martha needed help and Christ told her where that help could be found. Fellowship with the Lord. These are days with new realities and new responsibilities. Who teaches the children? Who cooks the meals? Who goes to Tesco? Who checks-in with elderly parents? Who apologies first when everyone’s nerves are getting frayed? My friends, one thing is still necessary. Fellowship with the Lord. If we can be thankful for this isolation and dramatic change to life then surely we can be thankful for the slower pace. It doesn’t mean that we will become lazy, there is still work to do. Yet there is more time. May we use it for the necessary thing. Fellowship with the Lord. Your hands are dirty from work. Wash them and sing Happy Birthday twice! Then find a quiet corner and sit at Christ’s feet. It is always the best seat in the house.      


Pray (ac-TS) 


Sing 


WSC 
Q25 How doth Christ execute the office of a priest? Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.