Author Archives: Rev. Dr. David Bissett

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About Rev. Dr. David Bissett

I pastor a church in upstate NY. I'm happily married and the father of seven kids. It's fun, really! Leave me some feedback...

Caution: Busyness is not a virtue

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Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 ESV

In the Gospel of Luke, the visit of Jesus to the home of Mary, Martha & Lazarus brings about this brief but precious conversation — and an arresting statement. What is this “one thing necessary” that Jesus speaks about? busy-1446660-639x426

In directing Martha (and all of us) to turn to “the one thing necessary” our Lord points to a contrast here, that Mary had chosen better — a superior use of her time, a more important focus for her energies and cares. Jesus told Martha that she was anxious and troubled about many things. Granted, Martha was not doing anything inherently wrong; in fact she was doing much that was good! Yet, Jesus implies that her heart was tangled up, her busyness was not right. She was distracted and worried and upset in a worldly way. Our hearts can be pulled away from the Lord by busyness in respectable activities. God does not want our busyness — religious or otherwise. God wants our hearts. Indeed the greatest commandment of all of Scripture is “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. (Matthew 22:37-38). This is what Mary appears to be doing — learning at the feet of Jesus, even worshipping as she took in His words of truth and life. She put first things first and Jesus was so very pleased!

Jesus points to Mary and tells Martha (and us):  that’s the better thing, that is the one thing necessary!  Oh how the world misunderstands what God requires — and how much those who are merely religious miss the most important thing. Many people think they know what Jesus wants, but will not listen to His very words here to Martha! As a famous preacher once said, it should be our first and sole business to attend to our soul’s business!

pdb

Seeking treasure?

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Vital to spiritual life and growth is our time in the Word of God. How do you approach your time in the Word? How do you undertake your reading of Scripture? Jerry Bridges* directs us to the wisdom of Proverbs 2 in order to remind us of some essential attitudes.1206351_romans-1

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:1-5 ESV)

(1) You must read Scripture with a teachable spirit. Proverbs 2 speaks of receiving and treasuring, both reflecting a desire to learn and grow from time in the Word. it is not enough to read it — even to master God’s Word — unless you are willing to be taught by it, and submit to it. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day knew the Scriptures, but were not teachable — or else they would’ve also accepted Jesus.  See John 5:39-46.

(2) You must have a spirit of dependence upon the Word of God, a childlike need for wisdom and direction. Proverbs 2 has the phrase “if you call our for insight and raise your voice for understanding” which reflects this. Think of the child or person in a moment of need, how they simply but clearly cry or call out. They know their need and call out for help. Wouldn’t you benefit more often if you cried out more earnestly to the Lord for help and understanding as you read?

(3) You must have a diligent spirit as you “seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures.” Of course we would turn our homes upside-down with meticulous searching if a valuable possession were missing! Do you exercise the same diligence in opening your Bible each morning, and looking for spiritual gems? We must be more diligent during our reading of the Bible. To paraphrase a Scripture, You have not because you searched not…

May the Lord give us all a better attitude and approach in our daily reading of the Word!
pdb

*see chapter 8 of Jerry Bridges’ The Joy Of Fearing God.