On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus often encountered people who simply did not understand what he or the kingdom was all about. In chapter 10, we read about two such individuals. One is a lawyer (an expert in the law of Moses). The other is a woman named Martha. Even though their life situations are very different, both are dealing with obstacles that are keeping them from really embracing the message of Jesus. The lawyer is looking for ways to excuse his lack of compassion for certain groups of people. Martha is trying to find her identity in her performance.

The remedy that Jesus offers to each is different. For the lawyer, he tells a parable that removes the boundaries the lawyer has placed on his compassion and challenges him to “go and do” likewise. For Martha, it’s just the opposite. Jesus invites her to “stop doing and listen.” If you were to ask Jesus which example applies to you (the lawyer or Martha) his answer would probably be “Yes.”  Sometimes, we need to be challenged to “go and do,” and sometimes we need to be challenged to simply “stop doing and listen” to the words of Jesus.

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