The Ministry of Presence | Pastor Aaron Graham
Scripture Reading
Mark 12:28-31
At the Home of Martha and Mary
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
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.”
What If “Love Thy Neighbor” Meant Your Actual Neighbor?
Have you ever wondered if, when Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor, He was talking about the people who live right next door? In a world where we often prioritize convenience and technology over human connection, this command can feel overwhelming. But what if we took it literally? What if loving our neighbor meant truly knowing them?
Knowing Your Neighbor: The First Step
Last week, we discussed how essential it is to actually know our neighbors in order to love them. We introduced a Block Map, a simple tool to help you learn more about the people living closest to you. The goal is straightforward:
- Know the names of your eight closest neighbors.
- Learn a few basic facts about each of them.
- Discover something deeper, such as their dreams, fears, or spiritual journey.
For most of us, this task is challenging. We live in an era where neighbors are often strangers, and filling out this Block Map can feel like a “Chart of Shame.” But the aim isn’t to induce guilt; it’s to encourage growth. By the end of this month, we hope you can fill in a few more of those boxes, turning strangers into acquaintances and acquaintances into friends.
Barriers to Neighboring Well: Time and Fear
Over the next two weeks, we’ll tackle two significant barriers to loving our neighbors: fear and time. Today, let’s focus on time, a resource that seems to slip through our fingers daily.
The Challenge of Time
It’s hard to be a good neighbor when you’re never home. Our busy lives often prevent us from being present, both physically and emotionally, with those around us. The story of Mary and Martha from Luke 10 illustrates this beautifully.
Martha, busy with preparations, grew frustrated as her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to His every word. Jesus responded to Martha’s frustration with a gentle rebuke, saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).
Quantity vs. Quality of Time
When it comes to loving our neighbors, time is precious—both in quantity and quality. Let’s break this down:
Quantity of Time
Many of us feel stressed just thinking about adding more to our already packed schedules. But loving our neighbors often requires freeing up some of our “connectors” (think lego piece)—the emotional and relational capacity we have for others.
Practical Tip: Take a look at your calendar, particularly between 5 and 8 PM. Are you home during these hours? If so, are you available to engage with your neighbors, or are you too busy with other tasks?
Quality of Time
While the quantity of time is essential, the quality of that time matters even more. You can spend hours with someone and never truly connect, or you can have a brief but deep conversation that leaves a lasting impact.
The “ministry of presence” is about being fully present with others, listening, understanding, and empathizing with their needs and dreams. It’s not just about being there; it’s about truly being “with” them, as Mary was with Jesus.
The Ministry of Presence
Being physically close to someone doesn’t always mean you’re emotionally or spiritually close to them. This can be true in marriages, friendships, and especially with our neighbors. The ministry of presence means genuinely engaging with others, being aware of their needs, and offering them your full attention.
Mary understood the importance of being present. She knew how to prioritize the moment, to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen. In doing so, she exemplified the kind of presence that Jesus values—a presence that isn’t distracted by the “many things” but focused on the “one thing” that truly matters.
Prioritizing What Matters Most
We live in a world that constantly pulls our attention in a million different directions. But the lesson from Mary and Martha is that we must discern what is most important. It’s not about doing more but about choosing what is better.
Reflection: What are the “many things” in your life that prevent you from being present with Jesus and your neighbors? Are you so busy that you miss out on the deeper, more meaningful connections that God wants you to have?
Conclusion: Practicing the Ministry of Presence
As we close, I challenge you to think about what you can eliminate from your life this week to create more margin for practicing the ministry of presence. Maybe it’s as simple as putting your phone away during meals or opting out of an optional meeting to spend time in prayer or with a neighbor.
Remember, love and hurry are fundamentally incompatible. Love takes time, and time is the one thing hurried people don’t have. So, what will you do this week to slow down, be present, and love your literal neighbors as Jesus commanded?
Further Resources: The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon
The above post is a summarized version of the full sermon. Please click the link below to watch the full message: