THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN
Unchecked
Following on from our most recent reading from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:25-27), we next hear the Lord Jesus Christ speak to his people about the dangers of allowing worry, and distraction from what matters most, run rampant.
In the passage that follows, the Lord shows us that worry is truly pervasive, and that left unchecked, it will lead us to a place where we cannot and do not trust the Lord with even the most basic provisions.
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Called to be Different
Jesus Christ makes it clear that his people are not to follow in the footsteps of the unbelieving world. Just because unchecked worry and anxiety are commonplace in the world around us does not mean that his people should embrace these distractions.
In verse 32, Jesus reminds us that the unbelievers (pagans) are the ones that cannot and do not trust God the Father to provide, and so they feel they must take hold of their needs and wants and not let go of them, for fear that they will fall behind or miss out. Instead of embracing the worries of the world, the follower of Jesus is to focus on what matters most, that which only the Lord can provide.
Example
In the passage that follows, there is a great illustration of how even those who are closest to the Lord can lose sight of what matters most and drift into a place of real distraction, worry and complaint.
“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 few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””
Distracted
These two sisters of Lazarus were good friends of Jesus Christ. They welcomed him into their home on a regular basis. It would seem that every time Jesus did ministry in the area around Jerusalem he stayed in their house. Mary and Martha were well acquainted with the Lord and showed themselves to be true believers (see John chapter 11).
As close to Jesus as these two were, this interaction demonstrates to us how easy it is to become distracted from what matters most in our walk with the Lord. The details of hospitality, as important as they are, were shown to not be as important as being present with the Lord.
· Martha allowed the lesser things to become more important in her mind than the greater things.
· Martha chose to place the demands of the moment over the blessings of relationship.
Better
Jesus loved these two sisters, and wanted what was best for them. This is why Jesus lovingly corrects Martha in her time of distraction. Jesus reminds her that time spent in relationship with your Lord and Savior outweighs the details and distractions of life. Some stuff just needs to be set aside for a moment so that you can focus on what is best. The dishes will be there later, come and enjoy a time of fellowship with the Lord.
Reflection
As you go throughout your day today, ask yourself:
· Am I focused on the temporary worries of life?
· What temporary concerns are robbing me of eternal fellowship with God?
· How can I set these aside for the moment and find time to listen to the Lord?
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
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