Jesus' Solution to Stress
- Grace B-P Contributor
- Jun 14
- 2 min read
By David Murray
Jesus Discourages the Stressed Life
Stress causes bodily disease; it also causes soul disease. The problem existed in Jesus’s day too and in Luke 10:38–42 Jesus diagnosed the problem and issued the prescription.
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were Jesus’s best friends, aside from his twelve disciples. They lived in Bethany and Jesus often dropped in on them to be refreshed by their friendship, fellowship, and hospitality.
When Jesus knocked on the door one day, Martha ran to the kitchen and started fixing a meal for her surprise guest, while Mary sat down at Jesus’s feet to listen to his teaching (Luke 10:38–39).
This was really bugging Martha, who was “distracted with much serving” (Luke 10:40). She’s slaving in the kitchen while her sister’s lounging in the living room. Eventually she lost it, burst into the room, marched up to Jesus, and protested, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me” (Luke 10:40).
Here we have two very different sisters representing two very different ways of living. Mary was centered on Christ; Martha was distracted from Christ. Mary needed the Lord’s care; Martha felt he didn’t care.
How did Jesus respond? First, he addresses her affectionately: “Martha, Martha.” It’s a term of endearment like “My dear, dear Martha.”
Second, he acknowledges her turmoil: “You are anxious and troubled about many things.” Third, he calls her away from many optional things to the one necessary thing (himself): “One thing is necessary.” He’s saying, “Your company means more to me than your cooking. You’ve become so distracted with serving that you’ve forgotten the one you’re trying to serve” (Luke 10:41–42).
A wrong perspective results in wrong priorities.
If stress is the problem, what’s the solution?
Jesus Encourages the Spiritual Life
Jesus pointed to Mary as an example to follow (Luke 10:42). Sitting at a teacher’s feet was like saying, “I am a disciple, a student, of this teacher.” It indicated submission and teachability.
Jesus essentially said, “Martha, copy your sister. Put down your rolling pin and apron and sit at my feet. Enjoy me, and let me enjoy you. Leave all the other stuff undone and have a calm conversation with me. Unrushed. Unhurried. Let’s sit down and catch up.” Here he preaches the gospel to Martha, “Come and sit.” So kind, so tender.
Spiritual life sprouts by sitting down.
“Jesus’ Solution to Stress” by David Murray, Copyright © Used by permission of Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org
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