Luke 10:38-42 “the Lord” kyrios Jesus has a lot of names and titles, and every one means something a little different. “Jesus” means salvation; we saw that a few weeks ago. “Christ” means anointed, or set aside for a special purpose. And today, we see that when the Holy Spirit inspired Luke to write this passage, he chose to use the word “Lord:” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) Why would God want to use this word here? What do you think of when you hear “Lord”? Perhaps you think of the big man, the one on the throne, the one we should bow to and quiver in fear before. Well, you’re partly right if you think that. But there’s a lot more to that word. In the Old Testament, you might be familiar with the word “the LORD” all in capitals. That’s a special word, and we have that word in Greek in this passage. Whenever that word shows up, you can think, “The God who keeps his promises.” The stress here is that this God will do exactly what he says, and no one can stop him from doing it. The word especially refers to God’s good promises of grace and mercy. This is the God who preserves both the entire world and each individual. This is the God who promises to take care of us – and then actually does it. And here, listen to Jesus as he speaks so tenderly to Martha: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” Hear him as he reaches out to this woman so full of cares: “Oh my daughter, you are so concerned about getting things right. Oh, my daughter, I am here for you. I’m the one who is getting everything right for you. I’ve come so you don’t have to worry. Martha, I promised I would take care of you. And I am the God who keeps his promises. Relax, my daughter. Be at peace. I am here.” And now this same God comes to you: “Be still, my dear one. I have promised to take care of you. Do you doubt it? I keep all of my promises. I would not break them for you. You are so worried. You are so concerned. Set those concerns aside. Only one thing is needed, and it is what I myself provide for you. I give it to you, as a gift. Stop running around. Stop, and listen to what I tell you. I do not give you more chores. I do not give you more to do. I do not give you anything to worry about. I take those worries away. Simply listen, my child. Simply listen: I have taken your sin away. Be at peace. You are mine.” Go Deeper: • Read Exodus 14. Those people had a lot to be scared about! Notice what word is used for God over and over again: the LORD. And notice what God says: “Be still.” • Read Psalm 37. “Be still!” God commands. Only one thing is needful, and God does it! This Psalm shows contrasts between the wicked and the righteous. Because Jesus has taken your sin away and given you his righteousness, it’s about you! As you read, every time you come to “the righteous,” read it with your name there instead. Rejoice that this Psalm is about you. And then, pray for the courage to be still before God! • Have you always been still? Confess to God the times you have struggled to “do” when God would have you simply be still. Confess, and then rejoice that God has indeed taken all of your sins away! You are at peace with God! Be still!
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 14:14:33 +0000
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