Martha—A Woman of Action

There is not a great deal said of Martha in the Gospel records, but of that which is said the least important is usually called to mind and emphasised. It is obvious from what we read of Martha that she was a devout woman sharing Messianic hopes and accepting Jesus as the Christ. She was the elder sister in the home at Bethany which was shared with Lazarus and Mary, that wonderful home which always had a welcome for Jesus when he came that way.

Luke shows one side of the character of Martha (Luke 10:38‑42). She loved the Lord as much as did Mary and had noticed that Jesus was tired, so she began to work hard preparing for His comfort and refreshment. Mary on the other hand realised that Jesus loved an appreciative listener, so she "sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His word." Probably Martha desired just as much to listen to the Lord "but Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me." Martha was flustered and did not choose her words too well. It may be that Mary was so interested in what Jesus had to say that she forgot that her sister was being left to do all the work, but that did not excuse Martha for asking Jesus, her guest, to interfere; indeed it seems she rather blamed the Lord for not telling Mary to help. Jesus, however, did not give the sharp rebuke that many seem to think. It is in fact a gentle, loving, rebuke, "Martha, Martha," note the repetition of her name, "thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from her." Martha's mistake was not in serving, but in complaining. It may be that many since then have used this account as an excuse for not serving, yet Jesus Himself has shown that no one is too great to serve. We are not always to want to do the same service; by persisting in such an attitude we should miss many opportunities of service for the Lord's people.

We get a further light on Martha's character from John's Gospel. In chapter eleven we read of her again. It is the occasion of the raising of Lazarus. The two sisters had sent to Jesus the message "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." In verse 5 we read "Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister (Mary), and Lazarus." What a wonderful tribute to that Bethany home! There is no room for doubt that Jesus appreciated the devotion of Martha as well as that of her brother and sister. Jesus waited two days and then went on to Bethany. In the meantime Lazarus died and the house was crowded with many of the Jews who "came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother," during the customary seven days mourning. As soon as Martha had news that Jesus was coming she "went and met him: but Mary still sat in the house." Martha was the woman of action, and John in his Gospel record reveals her as one who had real faith in God, and in Jesus as the Messiah. She said to Jesus "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died; but I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give thee." Jesus saith unto her, "Thy brother shall rise again". Martha, saith unto him, "l know that he shall rise again, in the resurrection at the last day." Her words show that she still had a mixture of the Jewish tradition of a final judgment day. Yet she drew forth those beautiful words of Jesus which have comforted and thrilled countless thousands of mourners and believers from that day to this. "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." Jesus then asked her if she believed this. In reply Martha makes a further affirmation of her faith, "Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." These were words of encouragement to Jesus and they meant much to Him. We read of very few who made such a confession of faith to Jesus.

Martha then went back to Mary and told her quietly that Jesus was not far away and asking for her. Together the two sisters went out to Jesus and witnessed the raising of their brother Lazarus.

The third and last time we read of Martha is in John 12: 2. It was six days before the Passover and crucifixion of Jesus. We read that Jesus came to Bethany and "they made him supper, and Martha served." This time there is no suggestion of Martha being cumbered: she is not impatient. This is the occasion when Mary anoints the feet of Jesus. Judas complains but Martha is silent. She is still the woman of action, but the activity is calmed by trust. One can hardly doubt that Martha, with Mary and Lazarus will be among those whom our Lord will confess before His Father in heaven.

The lesson we learn from Martha is readiness to serve and readiness to learn: the quality of being able to take a rebuke without offence: and a devout faith. When we think of Martha serving we can think too of her great faith which encouraged Jesus and called forth the all‑important truth "I am the resurrection and the life."

AOH