Mary’s Christ-centered worship was of eternal significance, while Martha’s distractions were a form of idolatry. What Jesus graciously revealed to Martha is that worship is the one thing necessary, taking precedence over everything else. In Christ, the good portion is ours forever. Let us be faithful to feast upon it today!
Tag Archives: Idolatry
Riches I Heed Not
If you think that people are basically good, then Solomon says to come look at this province where the poor are oppressed. If you think that people are basically good, come see what they can do in the absence of justice and righteousness. If you think that people are basically good, then Solomon says let me show you how corrupt government can be. Even in a country where the king cultivates the land to help feed the hungry, there will still be people who manipulate power for their own gain and the oppression of the vulnerable. If you think that people are basically good, then you are not only naïve but uninformed, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23).
A Privileged People
Despite their subjection to Roman rule, Israel was given religious autonomy, leading to the restoration of temple worship, the liturgical calendar, and pervasive influence upon the family and synagogue. Yet, in their religious and cultural revival there were inherit dangers, notably legalism and hypocrisy. There were also Pharisaical perspectives that made Jesus and his gospel not only unwelcomed but repugnant. It is the religious irony of ironies: The religious right went wrong because their reformation didn’t need a Savior or his gospel, revealing a jaded perspective of their privilege, a blinding pretense, and a misguided presumption. They were a people of whom the prophet wrote, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
Planter, Pastor, Preacher 