Another Look at Martha

God made each of us wonderfully unique and He loves us all equally on our good and bad days.

If I were to ask you about the two sisters in the Bible, named Mary and Martha, what leaps to mind? I’ll bet it’s the story of Martha running around trying to feed a house full of people and Mary sitting and Jesus’ feet. When Martha appealed to Jesus for help, he gently told her that Mary had it right and she had it wrong. Martha was worried about worldly things and Mary was focusing on the spiritual. (my paraphrase)

That’s usually the story that we remember about the two sisters and we tend to look down on Martha for focusing on the worldly things, or at least I do. I remember a Sunday school discussion about these two women years ago and everyone went around the room and said who they thought they were more like. The class all agreed that I was a Martha.

At the time, I was stunned and honestly, kind of insulted. Didn’t they know how often I prayed? The class members of course, meant no negativity by their assessment. I chose to take it negatively because of my perception of Martha.

But, there’s more to the Martha and Mary story than the one we most likely remember. Isn’t that usually the case with the people in our lives today, as well? There’s another instance where we see the sisters and their faith. This time, their brother Lazarus has died. The sisters sent Jesus a message telling him their brother was sick and asking him to intervene.

They were hoping for healing, but is often the case when we appeal to Jesus for help, he helps, but not in the way we imagine. When the sisters hear that Jesus is coming, Martha runs out to meet him. Mary stayed in the house. Martha tells Jesus that she knows if he had been there, Lazarus wouldn’t have died, but then she takes that leap of faith.

She says to him, “But even now, I know that God will give you whatever you ask.” John 11:22 Wow, this is not a woman who was not spiritual or didn’t believe. She may have been distracted before when she was trying to entertain, but she got it. She had faith.

Jesus asked her point-blank if she believed that “Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never, ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” John 11:26

Martha doesn’t bat an eyelash or miss a beat, when she tells him that she has “always believed that he’s the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” John 11:27

God made Martha and Mary, He, “knit them together in their mother’s womb.” He knew their strengths and weaknesses and He knew their hearts. He forgave their sins and shortcomings through Jesus, just as He forgives ours.

God doesn’t have a favorite sister, not in this story and not in ours. We are all far from perfect, but we are still loved and cherished and we are all called to use our gifts and talents to serve God. It doesn’t matter whether they are serving dinner to people who are hungry, or repairing houses for people who can’t do it themselves, or praying with a troubled friend.

Our gifts are unique. Our talents are unique. Our voices are unique. We are all special in our own way and we are called to serve and share. We will have bad days. We will stumble, but Jesus will always be there with a hand outstretched.

It doesn’t matter in the end, whether you identify with Martha or Mary, or Lazarus, for that matter. All that matters is that you reach for Jesus. He will redeem the mess and make something stunning out of it.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂