I teach a Sunday School class (for young married couples) at Conway’s First Baptist Church and I enjoy it very much. I think my teaching benefits me more than it does my class, however. I understand Scripture much better and find more ways to apply it to my own life when I have to study Scripture to teach it to others. I think I’m too passive when a student.
I found something interesting from Luke 10 this week.
Luke 10:25-37 is the parable of the Good Samaritan. We see two religious leaders who have probably just finished their religious duties (they are leaving Jerusalem). On their way to Jericho they each pass by a man who has been left for dead. A Samaritan sees the same man, but instead goes to great lengths to take care of him. The contrast between empty religious duties and faith in action is stark. Today, our “religious duties” may include sitting through a couple of church services on Sundays and sitting through a Bible study or two (or a CBC chapel or two) during the week. But Jesus seems to be offering this lesson: DON’T JUST SIT THERE. DO SOMETHING.
Luke 10:38-42 comes immediately after Luke 10:25-37. (I learned this at seminary.) On the surface, there seems to be little connection between the story of Martha and Mary and the previous parable of the Good Samaritan. But I don’t think their proximity in Scripture is a coincidence. In this passage we see that Jesus has been invited to the house of Martha and Mary. Martha is busy with all the preparations that naturally come with having such an honored guest as Jesus in your house. She becomes upset that her sister Mary is just sitting at Jesus’ feet – doing nothing to help with the necessary accommodations. Jesus gently instructs Martha that while she has gotten busy worrying about many things, Mary has chosen the one thing that is best. Today, many of us get busy trying to do many things for Jesus. But Jesus seems to be offering this lesson: DON’T JUST DO SOMETHING. SIT THERE.
How do we reconcile these two seemingly contradictory lessons? I have my own thoughts. But I’d like to hear yours.
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Many times we know the right thing to do but we just sit there. Like with the good samaritan, we know the Bible says to love your neighbor and we should hold others higher than ourselves, but sadly we do not obey scriptures, we are just hearers and not doers of the word.
Then with the story of Martha and Mary, we busy ourselves in what we say is for the Lord, while neglecting precious time with the Lord. I think the balance may be met if we are still and listen to what God says through scripture and prayer, then we need to obey and not just "sit there".
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