Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
2/24 Reading Portions: Exodus 7; Luke 10; Job 24; 1 Corinthians 11
Luke 10:40
But Martha was distracted with much serving.
DISTRACTION
Work in Christ’s kingdom and service to His Majesty was not meant to be burdensome. Labor by the sweat of one’s face was a part of the curse in the fall (Gen 3:19). Yet in the redemption, service to Christ and ministry in His kingdom is supposed to be a joy, honor, and privilege, as it was in the garden before the fall. Because of the corruptions of mortal flesh remaining in our human condition, service to Christ can be a distraction; yea, even a legalistic idol, as it was in Martha’s case. It’s one thing to serve the Lord and His disciples with a joyful heart, full of thanksgiving for the opportunity. It is another thing to be so burdened by the work we complain to the Lord to make others help, even if they weren’t called to our particular and gifted service. Pastors, preachers, missionaries, teachers of God’s Word, etc. are especially prone to slip into this subtle trap; however, it can arise in any Christian believer (since we’re all called with some kind of giftedness). It may even be in helps, hospitality, or administration. If the service to the King brings us anxiety, causes us to overwork, prompts us to complain about it, or moves us to enlist the service of others, it is because we’ve taken on, in our own prideful flesh, more than the Lord Jesus required of us. We’ve made ministry an idol. Martha had troubled herself to serve at least fourteen other people besides Jesus ―His disciples and her brother and sister. It wasn’t necessary. The disciples were used to gleaning wheat from the corners of the fields (Luke 6:1).
You may have noticed that there was a period when I had not sent out my devotional thoughts with a voice recording. With the stress of my mother passing and my voice cracking, it became a distracting burden, so I took a break. I, too, believed it necessary to keep these devotionals a joy, while taking time to sit at the Master’s feet, the good portion which will not be taken away. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
When ministry is a burden
And flesh has robb’d our bliss,
Then one truth is certain:
That we must rest from this.
