You are undoubtedly familiar with the incident where Martha asked Jesus to tell her sister Mary to help her serve a meal. There’s been quite a lot taught about these two sisters over time. Allow me to point out some deeper truths. Here is the text from Luke 10:
Now, while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to Jesus and said, “Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me and do her part along with me!” But the Lord replied, saying, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; there is need of only one. Mary has chosen the good portion which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).
It was the custom of that day that when guests enter your house, you wash their feet and feed them a meal. Nothing is said about Jesus and His disciples having their feet washed, but the meal is Martha’s focus. Who wouldn’t want to please Jesus if He entered your house? And there are 12 other mouths to feed, which would also stress out any homeowner. It would likely have resulted in someone buying more food (perhaps Lazarus did that) and seeing that everyone was comfortable. Yikes – that whole scenario would have stressed me out! Whatever the logistics were, Mary wanted to sit down and listen to Jesus teach. I imagine Martha trying to get Mary’s attention by eye contact or coughing to get her sister to help her. Finally, being unsuccessful, she went to Jesus, telling Him to tell Mary to help her. We don’t know if everyone heard the request or if this was a conversation only between Martha and Jesus.
Jesus knew what was going on in Martha’s heart and mind. I’ve always heard this taught that Jesus scolded Martha, perhaps harshly, but I rather think it was a tender statement as He calls her name twice. When the Lord says someone’s name twice, it indicates endearment. Jesus did not rebuke her for wanting to serve – that’s not the point of Jesus’ reply. Serving others is a good thing! It’s just that Jesus didn’t want Martha to be worried about all the details of fixing a dinner for Him and the disciples. God never wants us to serve Him with anxiety and worry in our hearts! Jesus could have easily multiplied food there and provided dinner for all of them – He did it before. But Martha was troubled and – like Adam blamed Eve when humanity first sinned – felt Mary wasn’t doing her part to help. Martha was anxious but perhaps didn’t want to let on, so she pointed the finger at her sister. Even if Mary got up to help her sister, Martha would still have been anxious. Other people can’t take away our worries. Jesus knew all that and turned Martha’s harsh words about her sister away in kindness. Mary’s choice to listen to Jesus is called “the good portion,” which will never be taken away. Don’t you wonder how the rest of that meal and after, went after Jesus spoke?
There are a couple of clues for us in John 11 and 12. John 11:5 states: “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary – they were His dear friends, and He held them in loving esteem.” When God corrects us, it’s because He loves us. That loving correction produces significant growth in us as believers. Whenever the Spirit corrects our belief system, actions, and thinking, it draws us deeper into His love. One would think John would have written that Jesus loved Mary and her sister because Jesus held Mary’s choice to listen to Him in high esteem. God’s way of doing things is so different than ours!
Then, in John 12, we find this: So, six days before the Passover Feast, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had died and whom He had raised from the dead. So, they made Him a supper, and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those at the table with Jesus. Mary took a pound of ointment of pure liquid nard that was very expensive and poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples who was about to betray Him, said, “Why was this perfume not sold for 300 denarii and given to the poor?” Now, he did not say this because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box (for the twelve), he took for himself what was put into it, pilfering the collections. But Jesus said, “Let her alone. It was intended that she should keep it for the time of My preparation for burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me” (John 12:1-8).
What I noticed first was the statement: “and Martha served.” Once again, the incident that preceded this was not against serving. That’s not the issue at all. However, in this case, we find that Martha is still serving but isn’t worried about all the details. I believe she is serving out of love and freedom, not pressured to get everything ready as she was before. Perhaps before, she was serving service rather than serving the Lord. We can easily be entangled and get focused on the wrong thing. There’s no blaming her sister for not helping her. And this time, it’s her brother Lazarus who is seated at a table with Jesus. In the previous chapter, he was raised from the dead, and I bet his entire focus was changed forever. Lazarus wanted to be next to His Savior.
Mary then washes Jesus’ feet with costly perfume. Remember, it was customary to wash your guests’ feet or have a servant wash them. I believe Mary, having listened intently to Jesus’ teachings, believed Him when He said he would die, be buried, and be raised from the dead. She took Him at His word, and this display of preparation for His burial must have been shocking to those present.
Once again, someone complains about Mary’s actions. Not a family member this time, but a disciple – Judas. Doesn’t it strike you that when we follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit, someone always complains? Even if it’s not right away, there will be a voice “out there” condemning you, criticizing your choices, and wanting you to explain your actions. Standing up for Jesus, for the truth, will always bring out the enemy’s accusations. Be ready for it by keeping your eyes on Jesus. Allow God to vindicate you, as Jesus did on Mary’s behalf in both instances. That encouragement may come from an inward reassurance that you did the right thing, or it may come later from another person. My point is that even our obedience to the Lord can stir up the spirit world.
This last scene before Jesus’ crucifixion also shows me that giving others the freedom to follow the Lord in their own unique way pleases the Lord. As Paul says in many places in Corinthians and Romans, the body is made of many parts – each having its function. If, like Martha, you love to serve, serve with your eyes on Jesus, and don’t expect others to serve the same way you do. If your gift is less visible, use your gift with reassurance that God sees you and will reward you. Martha served that night in John 12 and allowed Lazarus and Mary to minister to Jesus in their own way. When we don’t form an opinion of someone else’s weakness according to our strength or vice versa, we have more freedom to follow the Lord with pure motives and honor those we walk alongside. I pray this deeper look into Mary, Martha, and Lazarus encourages you greatly!
Receive from Jesus 