#1 was a man with his PHD in the Law of Moses, #2 was a woman who was a close friend. Both needed to hear words that would be hard for their ears to hear, even harder for their hearts to accept and absorb. But Jesus never shied away from saying whatever was needed.
#1- Most likely on His way to Jerusalem, a Law expert asked Jesus, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied by asking him what the Law declared? He pointed to the Shema, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus immediately gave him an A+ for his answer. Then, “seeking to justify himself”, the scholar asked for a clarification concerning what it meant by “neighbor.” Jesus, knowing his heart, then designed a parable specially for him: the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Summary: A man is beaten up by robbers and in need of help. A Levite and a Priest pass him by, but a Samaritan stopped, patched him up, found him a place to stay and someone to help him and vowed to pay for everything.
Jesus then asked the “hard words” question. “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” Filled with reluctance, the Law professor stated: “‘The one who had mercy on him.” He then hesitated, mulling over the implications of his answer. Again, Jesus, knowing his heart, told him, “Go and do likewise.”
How could he let a half-breed Samaritan be his teacher? But he knew his answer described the Law perfectly and he was committed to God’s Law. He was trapped in a dilemma; what would he do with Jesus’ hard words?
#2- When Jesus neared Jerusalem, he stopped in Bethany to spend the night with His close friends, Lazarus, Mary and Martha. As was His custom, Jesus began to teach His disciples. Mary hung on every word that poured from the lips of Jesus. When He taught, Mary was mesmerized.
Martha was overwhelmed with all of the details in preparing a meal for 13 guests, all hungry men. At one point, her obsession caused her anger to focus on her sister, Mary, who was of no help at all. That triggered fiery word to Jesus; not a request either, but an order: “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
Martha had never before spoken to Jesus with that tone. Everyone in the house sat up and took notice. How would Jesus respond? It was time for hard words, not because Jesus was angry with Martha’s tone, but, like the Law expert, she needed correction.
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” These words were probably spoken softly because the point of the words was hard enough. Correction always seems harsh to the person being corrected, even if they aren’t spoken harshly.
Jesus wasn’t condemning Martha’s work in the kitchen, but rather her condemning attitude toward Mary. Mary chose learning over food, which is always superior to food. It was ok for Martha to choose food preparation, but not to condemn Mary’s choice of learning. Both could be pleasing to God. I always wonder if Jesus went to the kitchen and helped Martha. It would have been just like Him to do that.
What was Jesus really like? He was soft when soft served the occasion and ready with hard words when someone needed correction. God bless.
Mike “Pawdad” Sublett, Pastor @ Hi-Land Christian Church, Pampa, Texas 79065, 630-730-8015
