Spirit lifts oppressed up; knocks oppressors down

by Pastor Michael Cook –

A wealthy woman named Martha invited Jesus and His disciples to stay in her home. But at the dinner, as she hurried about serving her guests, she found her younger sister Mary sitting at Jesus’ feet with the other disciples.

She put up with it for a while, but finally blew up. “Don’t you care, Jesus, that my sister is leaving me to struggle alone?” To which Jesus replied: “Martha, you are distracted and worried about many things, but there is one thing needful. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

Martha, like so many of my fellow Christians, seemed to feel Jesus’ role is affirming and defending traditional power structures. Martha was head of household. She wasn’t supposed to be doing the work herself. She was supposed to be supervising Mary. A woman’s role was to serve the men, not to join them at the table!

I’ve been hearing about government officials questioning the separation of church and state. I’ve been seeing church signs declaring that God should be in charge of America. Seems like there are Christians who think America should be a theocracy.

But don’t be fooled. This is not about God. It’s about Marthas who want to punish those who are rising above their “proper stations,” bucking human traditions that marginalize or exclude them.

If the God I know in Jesus Christ really were put in charge of America, all the wealth in the country would be redistributed to the poor, health care would be free for everyone…