Martha

Every time I read about Martha I wonder: Who was this woman actually? The name Martha means “A lady and Mistress” Martha was a woman in charge. She was a woman like so many of us, she’s got so many traits that’s so similar to everyone of us. We see Martha as the woman working, preparing food and serving and then on top of everything she went to Jesus and complained about her sister sitting at His feet, doing nothing. Martha is the woman described in the Bible that can be identified as a Proverbs 31 woman. We so often see someone and assess them on what we see, without knowing them.

Let’s go and visit with Martha and get to know her a bit better.

(Luk 10:38-30 and John 11:1 – 12:11)

Martha was the elder sister of Mary and Lazarus, notice that when the Bible talks about them, Martha’s name is always first. The house in Bethany that Jesus visit and where He was entertained and also later on when Mary anointed His feet with the precious oil from the flask, was the house of Martha. We don’t know how she became the owner; it might have been that she was a widow and that she inherited it from her late husband. Mary and Lazarus was staying with her, in her house.

Entertainment and hospitality were traits very high esteemed in those days. The Jews were watching you closely when entertaining your guests, and to determine your standards according to others. Martha was very aware of this fact and thus were very precise when she entertained het guests. This is the reason why she was working so hard, to make sure that everything was in place and served at the right time. It was unacceptable that Mary not only her sister, but also a woman in her household did not do her part. There was work to be done, and Mary sat at Jesus’ feet not worrying about nothing. (Luk 10:40)

Don’t you think we do the same? We don’t want people to get the wrong impression of us, and we’ll do anything to make them believe that we are the best. We also want some help, and that everybody should do their part. Do you think Martha was unrealistic in her expectations of Mary?

The answer is: No. Even Jesus understood Martha. His words showed Martha that there is another side to this situation. Luk10:41-42 “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her“ Martha was a perfectionist, she didn’t want anything to go wrong, and that could have a negative reflection on her or her house. Jesus showed Martha that even when you are busy with a lot of things, it is still important to make time for Him. We need to have a time to be still and at His feet. Jesus didn’t belittle her nor did He fight with her, He only directed her.

Do you still make time to go and sit at Jesus’ feet? Do you still listen to His voice? When you are showed your mistakes, are you willing to acknowledge them and make the necessary changes? Martha did.

Martha sends for Jesus. We also read that Martha was the one that went out to greet Jesus, on His arrival, after Lazarus had died. This was the actions of the head of a household. She spoke to Jesus as one with authority in her family (Joh 11:21). She told Him that she had put her trust in Him, and that she was disappointed, because he didn’t show up earlier. She made a faith declaration in verse 27, that Jesus is Christ, this was the same declaration Peter made. This declaration put her on the same level as Peter, as they were the only 2 to do that. What a wonderful experience, that Jesus although late according to our standards of time, still did the wonder of raising Lazarus from the dead.

We read in John 12:3, that Mary anointed Jesus’ feet, while they were busy eating. Martha still the person she was, served Jesus personally (v2), but this time it didn’t bother her that Mary was at Jesus’ feet. She remembered her lesson from before that everybody needs to serve Him in their own way. She could serve Jesus through her ability to entertain and with her hospitality and even her through her leadership. Every one of us has talents, and capabilities that we must employ to serve Him.

We have to learn that there is a place for everybody, and that all our personalities are different. Jesus has got the time for everyone of us, individually. No two persons are the same, and as Jesus didn’t chase Martha away, He will never do you. He will direct your attention to your mistake and then leave it up to you to change or not. We are being warned through the history of Martha that we must be sure to make time for Him. Don’t be so busy with the things of God that you forget about the God of all these things.