It’s that repeating of the name that hooks me, a master-stroke of narrative reporting by Luke. Or is it simply the way he heard the story (maybe from Martha herself?). As Martha of Bethany stresses out over her hosting chores, asking Jesus to make her sister get up and help her rather than sit there listening to him talk, Jesus addresses her calmly and directly:
“Martha, 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.”
Of all the weapons in the arsenal of the enemy of human nature, which he uses to divert us from God, worry is among the most effective and frequently deployed. When we are worried, we are by definition distracted, focusing on what worries us rather than on the God of provision and perfect timing. Martha can no longer remember why she invited Jesus to her home, why she wants to offer a lovely meal. All the joy and generosity of giving is lost in her annoyance and anxiety. She’s no longer available for relationship with Jesus, or with her sister Mary – she can only try to control and manipulate them. That ever happen to you? It does to me!
Imagine there are three boxes drawn on the pavement, as though for hopscotch. You are in the center box. What worries you is in the one on the left, and God is in the one on the right. If you face and focus on what worries you, that’s all you can see. God is behind you, still able to bless, but you are turned away. If you turn (and the Greek word for repentance, metanoia, means to turn fully around) you are now facing God and your worries are behind you. They’re still there, and God can see them, yet you are now focused on the source of solutions and answers. In fact, as we focus on God, we are better able to imagine solutions ourselves.
Focusing on what worries us is like distracted driving; taking our eyes off Jesus is like taking our eyes off the road. We may not crash, but our risk and anxiety levels increase, and we’re a danger to others. Today, think about what “many things” are worrying and distracting you. Hear Jesus say your name, not once, but twice, gently calling you back to yourself – and himself. Hear his words: “There is need of only one thing.” He is the one thing. He is all we need.
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