KITCHEN THEOLOGY
For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it. I don't do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do. Rom. 7:18, 19, T.E.V.
On the surface it seemed a tranquil, domestic scene. The aroma of savory cooking drifted from the kitchen, while the Guest of honor was being politely entertained in the living room. Yet there was a poorly hidden tension crackling through the house: the spoon being slammed too hard on the table; the taut voice as the older sister invoked religious authority to get her younger sister to take life more seriously.
Jesus saw it as far more than a domestic squabble or sibling rivalry. He saw in Martha and Mary two markedly different approaches to spiritual life and to Him. And He left no doubt as to which He saw as lastingly useful.
Martha was a prototype of the Romans 7 style of religious experience. Though Jesus had been "received into her house," her experience was still one of distraction, anxiety, and trouble. Martha was tyrannized by the "oughts" of religious life. Though her mind consented that she ought to do many things to please Jesus, the doing of them was strained by fears of inadequacy. The joylessness of her manner revealed that her actions were not her free-flowing native breath.
Mary, on the other hand, had discovered the Romans 8 experience. She was enthralled by the union of her spirit with that of her Saviour, crying out "Abba! Father!" She had discovered that the essence of spiritual life was centered on relationship rather than performance. She was freed from the spirit of slavery and fear, free to know life and peace--because she was enthralled with the Life-giver.
Jesus approved Mary's choice, because He knew that her choice was the opposite of that made by Adam and Eve in the garden. He knew that just as separation from God brings every curse in its train, so personal attachment to God brings every blessing. Far from becoming a passive mystic, Mary, we know, went on to become a vigorous worker in the young church. And that is because the motivations blooming in Mary's heart could not be taken away!
Nothing can more effectively meet our deepest inner needs than to sit at Jesus' feet, absorbed in His healing revelations of His Father and in His personal affection for us.
For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it. I don't do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do. Rom. 7:18, 19, T.E.V.
On the surface it seemed a tranquil, domestic scene. The aroma of savory cooking drifted from the kitchen, while the Guest of honor was being politely entertained in the living room. Yet there was a poorly hidden tension crackling through the house: the spoon being slammed too hard on the table; the taut voice as the older sister invoked religious authority to get her younger sister to take life more seriously.
Jesus saw it as far more than a domestic squabble or sibling rivalry. He saw in Martha and Mary two markedly different approaches to spiritual life and to Him. And He left no doubt as to which He saw as lastingly useful.
Martha was a prototype of the Romans 7 style of religious experience. Though Jesus had been "received into her house," her experience was still one of distraction, anxiety, and trouble. Martha was tyrannized by the "oughts" of religious life. Though her mind consented that she ought to do many things to please Jesus, the doing of them was strained by fears of inadequacy. The joylessness of her manner revealed that her actions were not her free-flowing native breath.
Mary, on the other hand, had discovered the Romans 8 experience. She was enthralled by the union of her spirit with that of her Saviour, crying out "Abba! Father!" She had discovered that the essence of spiritual life was centered on relationship rather than performance. She was freed from the spirit of slavery and fear, free to know life and peace--because she was enthralled with the Life-giver.
Jesus approved Mary's choice, because He knew that her choice was the opposite of that made by Adam and Eve in the garden. He knew that just as separation from God brings every curse in its train, so personal attachment to God brings every blessing. Far from becoming a passive mystic, Mary, we know, went on to become a vigorous worker in the young church. And that is because the motivations blooming in Mary's heart could not be taken away!
Nothing can more effectively meet our deepest inner needs than to sit at Jesus' feet, absorbed in His healing revelations of His Father and in His personal affection for us.
RSS Feed
