The extra 10 commandments

[Picture by:Sofia Di]

Luke 10:41 Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.

In our media society, we are bombarded with information. We have magazines, Internet articles, news papers, research papers, TV advertisements. It looks to me that all the information we receive from the media is adding commandments to the 10 commandments. By this I mean, I've read articles that have titles like: "10 things you should do to make your husband happy." "10 things to do to have the perfect family." "10 things to buy to be successful." "10 things to do to bond with your children."  All this information has the potential to add stress, condemnation and worry into our lives.  Apparently, Martha was not free from the "to do" influence back in her time either.

Sometimes, we fall in the same trap Martha fell. I wouldn't be surprised if  Martha, read a magazine the day before Jesus came to her house where it said: "10 things you have to do to be a good hostess."  Martha represents man's effort, self-reliance, self-righteousness. Martha was not depending on Jesus' love and grace to be a successful hostess. She wanted to please him with her own means and her own strength. On the other hand, Mary represents those who receive God's love and grace.  Mary was observing Jesus, she thought: "Jesus loves me!" "He will die for me and my sins will be washed away!" "If I sit and listen to him, I will be saved by his grace not by my own efforts." This is the reason why Jesus said that the good part, her salvation, was not going to be taken away from her.

 Luke 10:41 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.  

Jesus kept things very simple. He reduced the 10 commandments in one "LOVE" In John 15:17 he says: "This is what I command you: that you love one another." Now, he didn't say this for us to become weary and self-conscious like Martha. He does not wants us to love our children or family out of our own strength. We can do nothing without him. Also, if you read carefully, the first verses of this chapter (John 15), Jesus tells us that the only way we can bear a fruit of love is to remain in him. We need to remain conscious of his finished work at the cross.  

If we try follow rules in the bible or in the world out of self- effort like Martha, we can become overwhelm and bitter. Martha ended up being a really bad hostess. She accused Jesus of "not caring," she also bashed her sister in front of everyone else--how embarrassing!  That is the result we'll get if we try to love and "do things" without first feeding on Jesus' finished work at the cross.

When we rely on Jesus' sacrifice for our success then our house, family and children will be saved from any situation. When we rely on what he has done, the good part will not be taken away from us. Jesus' sacrifice represents salvation from the curse of this world and salvation for our souls!

Next time you read anything that talks about what you should be doing, think twice before you believe it. Remember, one thing is necessary--what Jesus has done. Rely on Jesus' grace to bless your marriage, your children and your family. Meditate in God's love for you. He was nailed on the cross to deliver you from disease, sin, death, divorce, poverty, unforgiveness. He hung on that cross to restore your children back to God! He payed for any mistake you've made as a mom.  He has forgiven all of your sins!

                                                                                                    Posted by: Sofia Di