In Luke 17:1-10 we read that things which cause people to sin are bound to come along. The original Greek uses a word for a trigger mechanism in a trap. Temptation is like that. If we allow ourselves to be led into a dangerous situation, it can be almost a foregone conclusion that we will sin. Lying is like that. Adultery is like that. Stealing is like that. Murder is like that. We are all guilty of shading the truth, having lust in our hearts, stealing time from a boss or glory from those who should be honored and harboring hatred, which the Bible describes as the same as murder. We so easily use words or actions to entice or incite others to sin or lose faith. However, if we do it leaves us a heavy burden of sorrow.
Three Words for Hell
The Hebrew Sheol and the Greek Hades are often used to describe the place of the dead. They are used in different contexts to mean the grave or a place of torture. Another Greek word, Gehenna pictures a fiery place of punishment. These are the three words most often translated as hell. Ancient Jews believed in both annihilation and eternal suffering. The ancient Greeks believed in an immortal soul and a place of eternal punishment. There are lot of popular myths about heaven and hell. Theologians are more cautious about describing our eternity. Jesus removed the curse of death. When the elect die, their spirits will go to where God is, in heaven. The Bible does not thoroughly discuss what happens in the intermediate state between death and the resurrection. However, the saints will ultimately be with God for eternity.
Jubilee economics
One Christian may support the capitalist right, while another may lean to the socialist left. Yet, neither of those modern political ideals fits exactly what God gave ancient Israel. One brilliant economic model is found in Leviticus 25. It is neither a form of socialism, with big government and large public ownership, nor is it unbridled capitalism, where large corporations dominate trade and prices. It is a radical departure from both of those modern systems. It speaks of a jubilee and regular, equitable redistribution of some assets but not others. It does limit the twin evils of big government and large corporate greed. Ancient Israel’s idealistic system has never been applied by any government since, and yet there are still principles of faithfulness in unrighteous mammon that we can apply, even though we may have very little (Luke 16:1-13).
Jesus' Silence
Have you ever noticed how remarkably silent Jesus was on various topics which divide Christians today? He said notably little about tongues. He said nothing about homosexuality. Jesus taught nothing at all about prayers to Mary. He did not ban alcohol or dancing. Nor did Jesus enforce any rules about resting on a Saturday or Sunday. So, why do Christians tend to focus on ideas that Jesus did not? Why do we not allow the founder of Christianity to teach us what is important and what does not deserve attention? Why are we divided over things that Jesus did not consider important enough to instill in his earliest disciples? When we spend so much energy on issues that he was silent about, do we then diminish the importance of issues that he did teach? Is the Christianity of Christ important?
Who will Build the Church
What did Jesus teach about church growth? He said that he will build his church (Matthew 16:18), yet Christian retail stores are full of books on how we can build Christ’s Church. Many people are anxious and distracted by a desire for church growth. Gimmicks and marketing techniques exist that would make even the most ardent workaholic weary. But have we forgotten the foundational principle of church growth: Jesus will build his Church? Where is our focus? Do we trust in our complicated works instead of Christ? The example of Martha in Luke 10:38-42 is that of someone who believed that her elaborate works took precedence over listening to the teachings of Jesus. When we believe that we can grow a church through our efforts to the neglect of allowing Jesus’ teachings to take center stage, then are we sadly mistaken?
Church Bullies
As with any area of society, the church has its share of bullies. Luke 10:38-42 reveals Martha as one of those people who tended to create more work than necessary given the circumstances. Instead of preparing a simple snack so that she could take time to listen to Jesus, she seems to have made elaborate preparations and so missed out on what was more important. Then, instead of realizing her mistake she tried to bully both her sister into helping and Jesus into taking her side. However, Jesus would not have a bar of it. Bullies are everywhere. They range from the proverbial leaning, smiling elephant, who applies pressure until people give in, to those who use blunter objects like intimidation and guilt. Martha tried the latter and a reply to her bullying was a simple statement of priorities.
Going Overboard
Service to others is a hallmark of Christianity. From the story of the Good Samaritan to the Golden Rule, service to others is a valuable part of the Christian way of life. However, when is it too much? In Luke 10:38-42 we read about Jesus and his interaction with Martha. She was a fabulous host but was greatly distracted by her detailed preparations. She went overboard. What could have been simple turned into a major effort. Service is important, but sometimes we tend to go too far. Contrast a simple Christmas or wedding with an elaborate one where everyone is stressed out and financially overburdened. Contrast a simple church service where the Gospel is preached with an elaborate one where great emphasis is placed upon liturgical detail. We can do too much. Only one thing is essential, hearing Jesus.A Perfect Worship Service
Some church services seem to be scripted to perfection. A detailed liturgy may include announcements, prayers of confession and thanks, singing of psalms, hymns and other spiritual songs, offerings, a sermon, saying of one of the creeds, and various Bible readings. Perfectionists can get very distracted by making sure that a church service goes as planned and get rather annoyed at anything that is not quite up to par. However, what really is a perfect worship service? If the words of Jesus to Martha in Luke 10:38-42 are any guide, we could conclude that the most important thing is to ask what did Jesus say? If the sermon does not teach what Jesus taught, or a reading from the Gospels is not included, then it cannot be perfect? Is not a perfect worship service one where Jesus is taught?
When a Yes is really a No
In Luke 10:38-42 we read about a wonderful woman devoted to service. She had said yes to a number of very important tasks. Martha was like many people in the Church today, always serving, always available, at every fundraiser, board meeting, choir practice, preparation for the liturgy and a whole host of other such activity. Church work is very important, but it is also never ending. It can be like a black hole that sucks a person in and never lets them out. It can take a person away from what church is supposed to be all about. A yes to serving others can be a no to Jesus. One of the most important words to say in life is no. It is important to know when saying no is saying yes to a priority with more important consequences.
Choice between two Goods
A Choice between good and evil is easy for most of us. A choice between two evils is somewhat more difficult. An example of that is when Rahab chose between lying and allowing two men to be murdered. She chose to lie and is counted among the faithful. Another difficult choice is between two goods. In Luke 10:38-42 Jesus taught Martha a valuable lesson. She was very distracted with doing the work of a deacon, serving. Christian service is a very high honor and priority. However, there is one thing that is much more important. Church missionary efforts often face the same choice: building hospitals, schools and physical projects versus teaching people about Christ — service versus the Gospel. Local churches face the same choices: physical service versus evangelism. Both are good things. One is more important than the other.
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