March 22 Listening to Jesus

John 11:21-27 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27 “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”
 
TAKE a moment to read Luke 10:38-42. Now, let’s consider Jesus’ first meeting with Martha and Mary: “A woman named Martha opened her home to him.” (Luke 10:38b) She modeled the first step we must all take as Jesus encounters you. You invite Jesus into your life.
    But then Martha became too busy. There were guests to care for and things to do. After inviting, “Come in.” Martha seemed to miss the reason Jesus’ teaching. Martha complained that Mary would not help her. Then Jesus teaches Martha: Luke 10:41-42 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
    Jesus taught Martha to stop her work and take some time to hear his teachings. The Son of God was in the house! She needed to stop being busy, so she could hear God speak. The chores will get done. The house will be empty again. But when the Lord has come, we must stop for a while, sit at his feet, and hear his truth.
    Apparently, Martha listened to her Lord that day, and we can assume on other days. We see she has the “one thing” we all need. She has faith in Jesus as the Christ, who has come into the world from God. She believes in Jesus’ resurrection power. She knows he could have saved Lazarus from death. Her faith points her to the last days of resurrection.
    Martha’s faith confidently answers Jesus’ question, “Do you believe?” “Yes, Lord.” She answered. Her faith is real and alive. In faith she believes the Resurrection and the Life has come to them again. Martha will now call her sister Mary, who has stayed in their house. It’s time for the sisters together to receive the Lord of Life.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for teaching us to stop being busy and to start listening to you. Amen.