Never Too Busy
Jesus gives no busy signals.
This day of Holy Week is sometimes called Busy Tuesday. Collectively the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) spend more chapters on this day than any other day of Holy Week. They track Jesus’ activities and quote his parables and teachings like a reality TV show framing every detail.
Jesus directly refutes – at least 15 times – those who oppose him, he lists at least 15 signs of the end times that signal his ultimate return on Judgment Day, he teaches important truths in 6 major parables, and even manages to squeeze in performing a miracle (see Matthew 21-26).
That’s busy. But not too busy.
I can’t remember the last time I called someone and heard a busy signal. You youngsters reading this probably have never heard one. These days if you call your friend and she’s on the phone, you just get dumped directly into her voice mail. We oldsters remember the days when you’d get a busy signal when calling a person who was already on the phone. Brrrp. Brrrp. Brrrp. Brrrp. Unavailable. Try again later.
Jesus gives no busy signals, in the sense that he’s too busy. His busyness is calculated and concerned. Throughout the day he responds to the Pharisees, the Herodians, the Sadducees, an expert in the law, the crowds, and his own disciples with a heart that beats to save. “Are you busy,” someone might ask Jesus.
“No, not at all, what’s up?” he’d reply. Even though he’s right in the middle of saving the planet.
Are you busy? It’s a trait that, in our world of production and achievement, we believe is admirable. If you’re not busy, you’re nobody. If you don’t work 60 hours a week or live with your kids in the minivan running to practices and errands you’re lazy.
Jesus never punched a time clock but he did find time – oops, make time – to relax, rest, and get away. More than that, even when he was busy with the greatest achievement in the history of the world, he was a balanced busy. An available busy. And he’s still that way. “Come to me,” he invites with sincere interest and an open door, “and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Are you too busy? Too busy for friends? Too busy for personal well being? Too busy for Jesus? Are you proud of it? Or maybe it stresses you out? Then consider the fact that on Busy Tuesday Jesus was busily available saving you from having to work at all for salvation.
Be more available for others, for Jesus, and even yourself. Balance your busy.
PRAYER: God, many times I can’t find an extra hour in my life, I’m so busy. I have wished I could change my calendar but it isn’t working. Now I see why, and I ask that instead of changing my calendar you change me. Change my need to be needed and scheduled and important. Be my one thing needed, and let everything else fall into place. Amen.