Some people are just difficult to please, you know? You work and work… but they end up asking, “What have you done for me lately?” Is God like that? Yes, you’re doing some good things now, even some religious things (prayer, worship, reading your Bible, giving to the church). But does the Lord expect more? Always more?

In fact, don’t we often view the preacher’s job as convincing, wooing, or guilting us into doing more? “Why weren’t you at Bible study Wednesday? How’s your giving lately? Did you hear about our workday at the church building this weekend?” Some of the leaders I’ve worked with over the years seem to suggest that they are doing their job right only if they keep people ‘religiously’ busy.

And yet, there is that rule (one of the Top Ten) to rest and just be with God one day a week (“24/6” as one book put it). Evidently, resting one day a week is not just a suggested healthy practice; it is a command. What do you do with that? Especially if Jesus shows up for lunch?

In the Gospel story this week [Luke 10:38-43], Jesus is at his friends’ house. Sister Martha is doing the culturally accepted and expected thing by preparing lunch and hosting the gathering. That’s a lot of work. A lot of love in that. Can’t her sister Mary help her? No, Mary is just goofing off sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening in. On top of that, it was against the rules for a rabbi to teach a woman! I’ve heard some woman identify with Mary and some with Martha. (I haven’t heard men do that.)

What do you do with that story? Does the other reading [Ephesians 2:8-10] help out or confuse matters?

As always, I would love to get your comments or questions — ahead of time or afterwards. Just click here.