I love when I read something in the Bible that I’ve read many times before, but this time I get it.  Today I read Luke 10.  This chapter has a couple different scenes, but it was the last one that God used to speak to me today.

It is the familiar story of Jesus visiting at the house of Martha and her sister Mary.  While Jesus is teaching, Mary sits at his feet and listens as her sister, Martha, is busy serving.  Martha is bothered by her sister’s actions and tells Jesus to correct Mary.  Instead, Martha receives gentle correction and Mary receives praise.

I used to give up on this short story so quickly.  I never quite understood why Martha was corrected for serving.  When I read these few verses today one word caught my attention, and God used it to bring me some clarity on what he told Martha that day.

Verse 40 says, “But Martha was distracted with much serving.”  Martha is serving Jesus and people, but her service was distracting her from the most important thing, listening to Jesus’ teaching.

Martha appeals to Jesus for her sister’s help, but instead receives a gentle rebuke.  “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.”

I can imagine Jesus speaking softly to Martha and lovingly correcting her thinking.  Like a father to a daughter Jesus disciplines Martha in order to produce the “peaceful fruit of righteousness” in her life.

As I read this I wonder how often I let service distract me from “the good portion, which will not be taken away.”  And when I am distracted, can I hear the voice of Jesus saying, “Anna, Anna, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary”?  And when Jesus corrects or disciplines me do I understand it as love?  Do you?

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”  Heb. 12:6

The Christmas season has begun, and that means lots of Christmas music on the radio.  Any time I hear something on a regular basis it can lose it’s meaning.  This happens to me a lot with Christmas music, but when I choose to listen to the words I sing I hear something wonderful.

O Come, O Come Emmanuel paints a good picture of Israel longing for a promised Redeemer.  Each verse speaks of God’s people needing a savior:

“ransom captive Israel”
“free thine own from Satan’s tyranny”
“from depths of hell thy people save”

And in between each verse the chorus exclaims with hope the promise of God to send that savior:

“Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”

Israel longed for a savior and God promised one.  In Isaiah 7, God tells the king of Judah “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”  Immanuel means God is with us.  God’s promised savior was to be with his people.

In Matthew and Luke we can read about the birth of that promised savior, of Immanuel, God with us.

The verses of this song remind me of my need and longing for a savior.  I’m reminded of my need to be ransomed from the captivity of sin and to be saved from the depths of hell.  Then the chorus comes, and I can celebrate knowing that Jesus did come and he has saved me.  And on December 25 I can celebrate the birth of Jesus, the promised savior.  And I can celebrate the faithfulness of God, who promised a savior and fulfilled that promise in Jesus.

Pay attention to the lyrics of the Christmas songs you hear this season and you will hear of the great love God has for you.