The One Thing Needed (8)
Most sermons and commentaries on this passage are careful to warn us against Martha's misguided priorities and to set up Mary's example as one worthy of emulation. However, a large number of them fail to note that Jesus also serves as an example that is directly relevant to many Christians.
It is true that Jesus is unique, and no one else can occupy his exact position in any situation. Yet, many of us play various roles in our lives that are analogous to the role that Jesus plays in this episode. That is, some of us are in positions to defend and protect the spiritual rights of the "Marys" in our lives, and to encourage the "Marthas" to imitate the "Marys." People who are in such positions include ministers, teachers, husbands, and parents.
Our passage teaches the minister to enforce a program of discipleship that emphasizes hearing and doing, instead of just doing, and to preach a spiritual gospel that is founded on faith that produces good works, rather than a merely social gospel. Churches should offer theology classes before lunches and picnics. Or, at least they should have lunches and picnics for the purpose of preaching and discussing the word of God.
Classes on theology and biblical studies must be opened to all kinds of individuals – men, women, the uneducated, the rich, the poor, and children of all ages. Contrary to the assumption of many, children who are only three to four years old are fully capable of understanding basic teachings on God, creation, sin, salvation, death, justice, punishment, heaven, and hell.
If not for the unfamiliar theological vocabularies, any child should have already read something on the level of Berkhof's Systematic Theology by the time they enter the first grade. The concepts are not difficult, but the words take time to learn. The solution is for the parents and ministers to teach them these things in simpler language. But in terms of content, there is no need for dilution at all.8
8 See my lecture series, "Great Expectations," on children's potential for early intellectual development, or as my position goes, their normal intellectual development.
(to be continued)
August 19 2005 | Expositions, Spirituality