Martha of Bethany
Luke 10:38-42, John 11:5-28
Martha and Mary, sisters in the Word of God, both have a very important part in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ as he was on this earth as the Son of man, in perfect sinless humanity and deity. Previously we have studied Mary, so this study will focus on Martha.
Martha is named in the bible before her sister, she is referred to in Luke 10:38 as "a certain woman named Martha" who "received him into her house" one day when Jesus was visiting the town of Bethany. We learn much from this verse, Martha is a woman who offers the Lord Jesus hospitality, the house is called "her house"..it is not Lazarus or Mary who first greets the Lord Jesus, but Martha. Perhaps she is the oldest. It is certain that Martha was well acquainted with the Lord Jesus, because the next verse tells us about her sister Mary who "sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word." Unlike so many who rejected the Lord Jesus, Martha receives him and desires to serve him, as we learn in the next verses. Luke 10:40-42 "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. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha Martha, 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 away from her."
Martha, it seems, took her role of hospitality very seriously. There must have been quite a few people in the house, probably some disciples of Jesus were there as well. V40 tells us that Martha was cumbered about much serving, she was very concerned because this task seemed too much for Martha to handle by herself in a timely manner, and so she asks the Lord Jesus to bid Mary help her. The Lord Jesus gently rebukes her by repeating Martha, Martha. Several times in the bible a person is called by their name twice.
But it seems as though this is said in a gentle manner, the Lord Jesus is not upset with Martha's request, but wishes to point out the importance of priorities. And so he says to Martha "thou art careful (full of care) and troubled about many things". Philippians 4:6 tells us to "Be careful (full of care) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made to known unto God"
Mary was at peace sitting at the feet of the Lord Jesus and learning from him, but Martha was too preoccupied with serving...this is a good lesson for us, hospitality is a wonderful thing, it is a virtue highly valued, but we are to "use hospitality one to another without grudging" (1 Peter 4:9) and to be "a lover of hospitality" (Titus 1:8) Martha and Mary and their brother Lazarus are equally loved by the Lord Jesus, but Martha must be made to understand that discipleship, sitting at the feet of Jesus, takes priority over all. It is only then that we will have the "peace that passes all understanding".
The next section of scripture regarding Martha, is in John 11:5-28. Unlike Luke 10:38-42, Martha is named last, but she is no less important in the events that follow. Lazarus has become sick, and we find in V3 "...his sisters sent unto him, saying Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." so we know that both sisters are concerned for him, and believe that the Lord Jesus can heal Lazarus, but we learn that when Jesus heard of this he told his disciples "this sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." and then quickly we are assured that "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus". (V4-5) Interesting that Martha is named first again. And so Jesus stays away for two more days, until Lazarus dies, but the Lord Jesus tells his disciples "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep" (V11) .
We learn in V19 that many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to comfort them, and these people would bear witness of the miracle to come regarding Lazarus..
When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went right away and met him, and she states "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died" (V21) Martha believes that the Lord Jesus had power to heal the sick. And she has not lost hope even now, for she states "But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it to thee." (V22) Martha has great faith in the Lord Jesus.
And so he tells her a great and wondrous truth, "Thy brother shall rise again" (V23) Martha believes what she has been taught about the resurrection, "I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day" (V24) For the believer, this is the blessed hope, that at the last day, we will be resurrected, and will eternally be with the Lord Jesus. John 6:39-40 "And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
And now the Lord Jesus tells Martha the reason that her brother died, and states his deity, "Jesus saith unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die: Believest thou this?" (V25-26) This is his great statement that he is the great I AM, that he IS the resurrection, that he IS the life, that he IS to be believed in, and then he asks Martha if she believes. And so does he do the same to us..as we read these words we are asked the same question, "Believe thou this?" Reader, do you believe that the Lord Jesus is the resurrection, and the life? Where you spend eternity depends on it.
Martha makes her great confession of faith, trust, and hope. "She saith unto him, "Yea Lord,: I believe that thou are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come in the world." (V27) What a great confession, Martha believes that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Redeemer, the Messiah, the Son of God, he who was foretold by the prophets.
And then we learn that she secretly goes to tell Mary "The Master is come, and calleth for thee". (V28) And so Martha and Mary return to the Lord Jesus and they show him where Lazarus is buried. "..Where have ye laid him? They said unto him,Lord, come and see."(V34) But now the Jews which were in the house comforting Martha and Mary, and who have stayed there, have followed Mary, and so now they are also at that place where Lazarus will be resurrected. But they think that Mary had gone to the grave of Lazarus to weep.
Jesus requests that the stone to the grave be removed, but Martha is resistant, saying "Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days." (V39) a natural thought, but this is a supernatural event...the Lord Jesus is the great overcomer of death. and so he reminds Martha "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" (V40) And so Lazarus is resurrected from the dead. and many believed on him.
When last we read of Martha she is back in her role of hospitality, 6 days before the passover, serving again. (John 12:2) back in her familiar role, but with a difference - now she has seen the power of the Lord Jesus, she has made a confession of faith, now she has learned the importance of priorities...now she is no doubt happily serving in that role that God had for her. Now she no doubt possesses "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding" which "shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phillippians 4:8 Amen.
vcg/September 2015
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