John 11:5 “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”
Martha…Martha often gets a bad rap when compared to her sister, Mary. After all, we first meet Martha in her family home hosting a group of people where she is actively serving. I very much picture myself in Martha’s shows; preparing (perhaps feverishly) food, cleaning the home, setting a table, all the one thousand things you do to ensure your guests are cared for. Hospitality after all is a gift. Martha is a doer.
I often envision Martha as the strong dependable one in her family. The one people go to when they need something. The one ever present but rarely acknowledged. She likely carries a quiet strength about her as she serves others.
During the dinner scene, Mary (Martha’s sister) is at the feet of Jesus leaving Martha to do all the work. Who could really blame her for being annoyed and telling Jesus about it. We have all experienced a time in our life where we felt we were disproportionately carrying the load for others. However, Jesus’s response was to tell Martha that she is worried about too much, and Mary has chosen the better path. As a fellow doer, I am offended for Martha! What?! This behavior where you skirt responsibilities and leave work for others is rewarded?! OUCH – It hurts reading it; I can only imagine the sting hearing it from the lips of Jesus.
What I came to learn was Jesus saw through Martha. Jesus saw her fear and anxiety; much like he does with each of us. Jesus noticed Martha stayed where she was comfortable retreating behind the walls of her own understanding into a place she felt safe and in control. Jesus brought Martha face to face with her fear of being seen perhaps judged. Jesus highlighted that Martha was held back by her earthly perception of what should be. We do not get a full story of how Martha confronted this rebuke from Jesus. I suspect there were some layers she had to peel back; maybe some bitterness and unforgiveness she had to tackle.
As scripture continues, we do get to see a change of heart in her through other interactions with Jesus. John 11:5 is a powerful statement in reflection of the rebuke seen in Luke. The verse clearly states, “Jesus loved Martha and her sister.” Martha is called out by name here. The author of this gospel found it necessary to highlight Martha by her name and Mary as her sister. How beautiful is this? Despite Martha’s fear; despite Martha’s reluctance to challenge the status quo – she is called by name as the one Jesus loves. Jesus loves us by our names too. Jesus sees through our weakness right into our hearts and loves us. He takes the walls we build and hide behind, and he completely demolishes them. He reaches for us no matter our reluctance.
Then we see Martha again when her sister anoints Jesus’s feet. It is a simple verse in John 12 which states “Martha served while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.” Jesus is again in Martha, Mary, and Lazarus’s home for dinner. Again, Martha serves, but this time with a grateful heart. She serves as a complete human leaning into who Christ called her to be. Jesus did not rebuke her as a shameful person but as a powerful lesson in approaching and accepting our gifts. Martha is a doer; she has gifts pertaining to hospitality and service. Her gifts are as unique and special as she is. Jesus knew this. Highlighted her short-comings, and loved her no matter what.
Jesus loves each one of us in this way. Some gifts call people out into the open to challenge the status quo while some are softer and more subtle. Jesus does not care which gift you have; Jesus sees into the depths of your heart. He sees your obedience, reverence, and gratitude as you lean into your gifts for God’s glory. He knows your name, calls you by name, and says, “I love you.”
God,
How great it is to be known and loved by you. Please allow me to remain humble in spirit with a grateful heart. Help me to carry both with me as I lean into my gifts for your glory. I love you too. Amen
