Jesus is an excellent teacher. He did not just present knowledge to people in the Gospels. He gave life giving perspective.
"Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, 'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.' 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.' " - Luke 10:38-42 NKJV
"Then Jesus said to them, 'You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.' Peter answered him, 'Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.' Jesus said to him, 'Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.' Peter said to him, 'Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!' And all the disciples said the same." - Matthew 26:31-35 ESV
Peter was confident in his own loyalty and Martha was weary from functioning in her own strength. Both people were striving.
Striving is contrary to the finished work of Christ. Both Peter and Martha were sincere in their efforts. They were trying to be loyal and helpful but they were just wearing themselves out in what was right.
Jesus was being renewed in what was real.
Oh, We need what he gave to them or we will wear ourselves out also.
We need to hear God's words. We need to accept His work on the cross. Our own thinking apart from the Bible will bring resentment. Our own efforts to be loyal will result in self loathing because of our failure or even worse... self righteousness because of our success.
Jesus does not strive.
"So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account." - Hebrews 4:9-13 ESV
The sharp sword of the scripture cuts away the things that cause us to strive. It breaks the attachments that make us think we should be strong in ourselves.
I choose what Mary chooses to do. She rests at Jesus' feet and basks in His word. Then when it is time to act she has what is needed.
It is finished! What good news that is. That is the truth we find when we find Jesus. When we see him we find that we have a place to rest.
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