Showing posts with label Martha. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Martha. Show all posts

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Valued and Loved

Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Martha or Mary.

I’ve heard the question, “Are you a Martha or a Mary?” I may have even asked that myself. But in seeking an answer to the inquiry, I think I missed the point of this story.

Imagine preparing for a visit from the one person on this earth who you’ve been waiting for; that one man who came to save all people from sin. Let that sink in. Jesus is coming to visit. The Messiah himself will be dining at your table.

Martha, the obvious caregiver in the story, seeks to prepare her home for her guest. Yet, her sister Mary, instead of mixing the bread dough or setting the table, sits at Jesus’ feet to soak in his wisdom.

Again with the question, “Are you a Martha or a Mary?” According to what Jesus says, it doesn’t matter. Both women are valued and loved.

When Martha called for Mary to help her, Jesus stopped her. You see, Jesus was a rabbi, a teacher. He didn’t condemn Martha for her efforts to host him, instead he offered her an invitation. He didn’t say don’t be like Martha, instead he reached out and invited her to stop what she was doing and join him as he taught God’s truth.

He didn’t condemn Martha, he invited her to join him. This is kind of a big deal. In Jesus’ day women didn’t sit at a teacher’s feet and learn. But Jesus invited all men, women, and children to hear God’s truth.

Jesus still calls every one of us to read his word, share in his wisdom, believe in him, and accept his grace.

Sit at Rabbi Jesus’ feet and hear his truth.

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Did Martha Go Wash the Dishes?

John 11:21-27
“Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.”

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

I like Martha; Jesus' friend and Lazarus and Mary's sister. Too often she gets a bad rap. She's accused of worrying about the practical things while her sister rested at Jesus' feet, learning. But when you read the rest of her story...

Martha loved her brother and sister. It appears she takes good care of the household they share. Of course Lazarus has responsibility as the male in a Jewish household. No doubt, Mary does her part. But Martha makes sure the everyday things get done. Food is prepared, water is drawn, floors are swept, clothes are cleaned. But don't be fooled by Martha's focus on the essentials.

In her story from John 11, her brother Lazarus has died. Martha and her sister sent for Jesus, but he arrived after the fact. I'm sure she and Mary prepared Lazarus body with oils before they laid him in the cave and pushed a rock in front of it. So they knew Jesus was too late to heal their brother. I'm guessing Mary wanted to sit at Jesus' feet again and listen to his wisdom and comfort. But Martha wanted hope. In her heart she knew Jesus' power, she understood his significance, she believed he was the Son of God. That faith paid off. Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave and brought him back to life.

Martha and Mary witnessed this miracle up close and personal. Did Martha go wash the dishes? No, she confessed her faith to Jesus. When Martha needed to, she took care of business. Yet, along with her can-do spirit she worshiped her Lord and shared his hope. I like Martha. She's a nice blend of practical and faithful. Her feet scurried around the house even as her heart was full of Jesus' love.

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”