Evangelism Series #4

Jesus Calms the Anxious and Distracted

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).

Do you know anyone who has a stressful life? I’m sure you did not take long to think of someone. It is safe to say that we are probably living in one of the most stressful cultures ever. I read recently that forty percent of working Americans who are on vacation are in contact with their offices—daily.

There are many causes of stress and anxiety. Concerns at work, losing a job, relationship problems, the death of a spouse or close relative, moving to a different house or city, or other major life changes can all cause anxiety. We can have anxiety in almost every aspect of our lives. But really the true cause of our stress and anxiety is the sinful world around us and the reactions of our own sinful nature to it.

How do we cope? Our situations can seem hopeless at times.

But there is hope. Martha was “worried and upset about many things.” Like Martha we need to be reminded that only one thing is needed. Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11: 28). And we read in 1 Peter, “Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Only Jesus has the words of eternal life. Only Jesus was the one who could save us from sin, by living a perfect life, dying an innocent death bearing our sins on the cross, and rising from the dead. He is the one thing that we all need.

Sometimes Christians wonder why Jesus scolded Martha (even if it was a mild reprimand). After all wasn’t Martha doing good work? At least thirteen hungry men had to be fed and cared for. Martha was busy with all the preparations that had to be done. “What was wrong with that?!,” we may wonder. It is not as if she was doing something sinful such as stealing food for the meal.

But that is just the point that Jesus is making. Sitting at the feet of Jesus—hearing His word is so, so very important that it should be a top priority in our lives. It is so important that it should take precedence even over many other good works that we might consider to be extremely important. And it prompts us to consider the question, “Is something really a good work if it is distracting me from reading my Bible, or going to church (where we sit at Jesus feet and hear his word)?” God’s Word is the one thing needful. Nothing else in our busy lives can supply us with the love and forgiveness that declares how Jesus has earned our place in heaven.

So, do you know anyone who is stressed or distracted and who isn’t a believer? What a wonderful message we have for that person! Jesus is the one Savior we need! The challenge for us is this: How do we communicate this message to a friend who is extremely “busy”?

Here are some possible “lead-ins”:

• At the appropriate time ask, “Do you ever wonder what it’s all for?”

• Point to a tragic event in the news (a sudden death) and say, “I’m glad I’m prepared to die.”

• Talk about how Sunday is “off-limits” for other events because church is too important for you and your family.

Ultimately you want to reach your friends with Jesus’ Word. They need to hear the Law (which shows our sin) so that they then recognize their most pressing need is a Savior. Then they need to hear the Gospel, which is the calming message that Jesus Christ is the One that Martha, you, me and our friends truly need to know.

Bradley Kerkow is pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in North Mankato, Minnesota.