Super distractions

Bulletins

Brian Nielsen
02/11/24 - General

Mary and Martha probably would have conflicted during a Super Bowl, too. While Martha was trying to serve food and pay attention to party guests, Mary would just sit watching the football game.

I am with Mary on this one. I never really understood the concept of Super Bowl parties. Why wait until the biggest game of the year to invite or visit friends who can distract you from the game? I always thought if you are going to add fancy food and fun, why not do it during the season during a boring, insignificant game? (Please do not insert a Chicago Bears joke here.)

But that's just me. You can do what you like during the game. You don't even need to watch or like football. In fact, with the time schedule for this Super Bowl and our church congregation's meeting times, I will miss at least the first half of this year's game. Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy might both be great quarterbacks, but neither can save my soul. That's why, just as Mary sat and listened to Jesus while Martha prepared food in Luke 10:38-40, I plan to follow Colossians 3:2 where we are told, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."

Even those thinking they are doing the right thing going to a "church" building or "church" function can lose focus when this turns toward entertainment, meals, etc. These might have good intentions but bad results. We are warned about this in 2 Corinthians 11:3 -- "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." The simplicity of Christ we have by example comes from scriptures including Acts 2:42 -- "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." The fellowship and breaking of bread were observing the Lord's supper on the first day of the week as in Acts 20:7. Jesus instructed this in Luke 22:19. We are to study God's word (Acts 2:42) and sing praises to Him (Ephesians 5:19). It does not involve entertaining meals for the flesh. First Corinthians 11:34 says, "But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment." We have enough trouble overcoming worldly distractions without letting those enter the church. That may be one of the reasons the inspired Paul in 1 Corinthians 7:35 wrote, "And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction."

Certainly, on Super Bowl Sunday or any other day we need to remember what is super above everything else. Remember Luke 10:41-42 -- "And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.' "

--Written February 8, 2024

Scripture quotes are from the
New King James Version.