As I’ve studied the two accounts of Martha’s interaction with Jesus, I have gained a richer understanding of who she was and who Jesus is.
I have heard many messages preached about Martha being too distracted to spend quality time with Jesus. She is usually presented as the woman we don’t want to be. But as I have met her in these passages of Scripture, I see that Martha is a woman of faith and diligence. She is practical, bold, and trusts Jesus completely.
Jesus visits Mary and Martha in their home (Luke 10:38-42)
Often this story is used to illustrate the importance of enjoying God’s presence rather than being too busy to spend time with him. While that certainly is part of the story, what I also observed in this account is a practical and diligent woman who respected and honoured God.
Martha’s actions are not unusual under the circumstances. She invites Jesus to her home and wants to be a good host. Any one of us would probably do the same for our guests – desiring to serve our guests a good meal in a tidy home. We would certainly want to be a good hostess if Jesus were our guest!
It is clear from Martha’s declaration of faith in John 11:27 that she knew who was in her home. She wanted to give the Lord her very best.
Jesus’ response to Martha’s complaint about her sister not helping is not a harsh rebuke, but an invitation to cease striving and rest in His presence. He is saying to Martha as she grumbles about the unfairness of doing all the work – you have nothing to prove with me. Come and rest at my feet.
My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:41-42
I think the lesson here is not just about Martha being too distracted to spend time with the Lord. Here we observe the heart of God – He wants us, just as we are. We don’t need to prove ourselves worthy of His attention by doing good works. He wants us to rest in His grace. He wants us to do life with Him, not just for Him. Everything we do should be an overflow of our identity as His beloved, and by His grace.
In Martha, I find a kindred spirit. Whether in motherhood or ministry, I want to do my best. Martha’s exchange with Jesus in this account reminds us that we need to choose what is best over what is good.
In doing that we will be freed from the notion that our service to God is the gauge of our worth. As we learn to enjoy God, we will
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44)
At the beginning of this chapter, Jesus delays going to Bethany though “he loved Martha, Mary, and Lazurus” saying, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” (John 11:4)
When Jesus goes to Bethany, Lazarus has been dead for 4 days. All hope seems lost.
Martha’s grief over her brother’s passing leads her to Jesus – she immediately leaves her home and goes to meet Jesus when she gets word that He is on His way.
She gives full vent to her feelings, asking the Lord why He didn’t come sooner (John 11:21), but also declares her trust in who He is. (John 11:22, 27)
At first, Martha did not fully understand Jesus’ meaning when He said “Your brother will rise again.” John 11:23), thinking Jesus was referring to the doctrine of resurrection commonly held by Jews. Martha immediately accepts His statement, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25) She doesn’t challenge or doubt Him, because she knows who He is – “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” (John 11:27)
Martha is a great example for us of how to grieve with hope. She didn’t hide her disappointment from Jesus. She spoke candidly with Him, entrusting her cares to Him. She models for us how to hold both sorrow and faith. Martha boldly meets Jesus on the road and tell Him how she feels – let down. But she also puts her hope in Him because despite how things look or how she feels, she knows who He is.
Jesus’ response to Martha also shows us what happens when we bring our whole selves to Him – our pain, our doubts, and our faith (no matter how small!) Martha seeks the Lord, and the Lord encourages her faith, declaring, “I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)
It is to Martha that Jesus makes one of His seven I am statements – statements that have revealed Jesus’ purpose and become foundational to essential Christian doctrine.
When we are faced with disappointment and grief, or when it seems that God has forgotten us or failed us, we can follow Martha’s example of going boldly to Jesus in our suffering. He will meet us there and give us an unshakeable hope.
