MARTHA

MARTHA

HER NAME, THE FEMININE FORM OF "LORD," MEANS "Lady"

HER CHARACTER:

Active and pragmatic, she seemed never at a loss for words. Though Jesus chastened her for allowing herself to become worried and upset by small things, she remained his close friend and follower. 

HER SORROW:

To have waited, seemingly in vain, for Jesus to return in time to heal her brother, Lazarus. 

HER JOY:

To watch as Jesus restored her brother to life. 

KEY SCRIPTURES:

Luke 10:38-42; John 11:1-12:3 

¶ HER LIFE AND TIMES 

WOMEN'S WORK

The work expected of a woman in Bible times was much more clearly defined than it is in our culture. There were things the women did and things the men did; things the female children did and things the male children did. 

Martha was just doing what she thought was expected of her. She had been raised to take care of her guests, to care for the people in her household. Mary was the one who stepped outside of the cultural expectations of her time, sitting at the feet of Jesus with the men rather than working with Martha in the kitchen. When Martha complained, Jesus responded with characteristic boldness, ignoring the dictates of his time and urging Martha to stop and consider the choice Mary had made. 

Women of that time kept busy from morning to evening with a daunting array of household tasks: 

• Grinding grain for bread, then mixing, kneading, and baking the bread for the day 

• Purchasing meat at a market or preparing an animal from the household's flock for meat to eat, then cooking that meat 

• Carding, spinning, and weaving threads of various kinds to make cloth for clothing, bedding, and other household uses 

• Sewing clothing for household members 

• Drawing the water for each day's requirements 

• Cleaning the house 

• Washing the utensils and dishes used in meal preparation and eating 

• Washing the family's clothing 

• Teaching, disciplining, and loving the children in the household 

The list could go on and on, and it is not so different from the lists many women today could make of their responsibilities as wives and mothers. The tasks may be overwhelming. They may seem tedious and exhausting. But they are never unimportant. 

Jesus' words to Martha should not be construed to mean that "women's work" should be ignored and left undone. That would be unrealistic. However, such work should never take the place of daily and intimate contact with the members of our families and the Lord of our lives.

HER PROMISE

Marta meets Jesus again in John 11 after the death of her brother, Lazarus. With characteristic forthrightness, she tells Jesus that if he had come earlier, Lazarus would not have died. Her statements open the way for Jesus to declare for all to hear including us today - that he alone is the resurrection and the life. If we believe in him, even if we die, we live. What a promise! What a comfort! Through Jesus, death no longer has any power over us.

Promises in Scripture

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."

-JOHN 11:25-26

The saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

-1 CORINTHIANS 15:54-57

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

-1 PETER 1:3

HER LEGACY OF PRAYER

Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me! -LUKE 10:40

REFLECT ON:

Luke 10:38-41

PRAISE GOD: For his patience

OFFER THANKS:

That God meets us where we are, rather than where we "should be."

CONFESS:

Any tendency to resent other women in your life.

ASK GOD:

For the grace to be completely honest with him.

Lift Your Heart: 

Martha took her complaint about her sister directly to Jesus. Is someone in your life causing you trouble - your daughter, mother, coworker, sister in faith, even a rival? Rather than expressing your grievance to anyone who will listen, take your complaint directly to God. Tell him everything that's bothering you. Ask him to give you understanding about how to respond to this person, even if it means that you, not she, are the one who needs to change.

Father, you know how difficult it is for me to relate to..... Please help me to know what you think of our difficulties. I ask you for the grace to let go of my own sense of hurt and grievance. If you want me to do anything at all to try to improve the situation, please make it clear to me. Help me to be sensitive and obedient to your guidance, I pray.