The answer before infomercials
Rev. John Davis
Friday, January 19, 2007
Have you ever had one of those nights? You wake up in the middle of the night and no matter what you do you simply cannot get back to sleep.
You think watching meaningless stuff on TV will dull you mind enough to return to sleep. As you flip channels you enter the strange world of “Infomercials.”
It is there in this infomercial world that we become aware of how we desperately need a particular product to infinitely improve our lives. Then we discover our lives can be made complete for only $19.95 plus shipping and handling.
As silly and naive as the world of infomercials may be, the situation described in Luke 10:38-42 bears a strong resemblance to an infomercial except that the need described there is real. This is the well-known account of Jesus’ visit to the home of Martha and Mary.
Martha busies herself with serving her honored guest. Mary sits at the Lord’s feet and listens to what he has to say. The story closes with Jesus saying to Martha, “you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Jesus seems to say, as most infomercials do, that our lives will be immeasurably enriched with the addition of just one thing. He doesn’t specify exactly what that is, but from the context it seems to be the Lord’s teachings.
This passage has sometimes been interpreted in a way that sets up a false dichotomy between listening and serving as the signs of discipleship. The New Testament most often describes discipleship as a form of service to God by selflessly meeting the needs of other people, especially the needs of the poor. This discipleship of service always bears the mark of a life shaped by a deepening relationship with Jesus and a growing understanding of our Lord’s will and ways.
St. Paul urges Christians to “have the mind of Christ” and by having the mind of Christ, to engage in selfless sensitivity to others. The person of Jesus Christ, whom we meet in Scripture, informs us and forms in us.
When we are joined to Christ by faith in him as Redeemer and Lord, the Risen Christ begins to inform and shape our hearts and minds as listening and serving disciples.
“Sunday Sermon” is a forum for Emporia area ministers to share their sermons, thoughts and observations. This week’s sermon is from the Rev. John Davis, pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.