Read today’s texts first: Jeremiah 3,4; John 11
In the Mary, Martha sequel - “Sister Act 2”-
Martha is the hero in this story!
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus (11:5). We tend to think Jesus favoured Mary over her sister Martha because of the complaining incident. You remember what happened: Jesus came to their house and, while Mary sat at His feet, Martha was busy getting dinner ready. She naturally was a tad perturbed by her sister’s laziness and asked Jesus to convince Mary to help. That led to this famous response: “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better” (Luke 10:41,42). Hence the suspicion that Jesus favoured Mary. Certainly a lot of preachers side with Mary over Martha and I’ve been one of them.
But this story starts with Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. Martha is mentioned first; Mary isn’t mentioned at all in this verse. Martha is the one who runs out to greet Jesus while Mary is moping back at the house. Martha is the one who says this when Jesus arrives too late to heal Lazarus: If you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask (11:21,22). After Jesus explains about His resurrection power Martha makes this statement: “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world” (11:27).
No one else among the family and friends gathered at the wake of Lazarus makes these amazing faith statements. Her brother is dead, he has been for four days, but there is an expectancy that compels Martha to bring Jesus to Bethany, to run out to greet Him while the others are mourning, and to affirm Him as the Messiah, capable of performing a miracle no one else can even imagine, except Jesus.
“Lord, sometimes I’m a lot like Martha in the complaining incident, too busy with the little details of life to focus on the one thing, spending time with You. But Lord I want to be like the Martha in this story, who has incredible, faith-expanding, life-giving conversations with You.”
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