Women of the Bible I would Like to Meet:: Part 3:: Martha

 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.  She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying.  But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.”  But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10: 38-46 

I think, when I meet Martha, I will find her in the kitchen cooking.  She has the Gift of Hospitality.  

Martha, you were good friends with Jesus and His followers, weren't you?  How did you feel about that?

Did Jesus visit you often? 

Were you always busy cooking for Him?

What were His favorite foods that you cooked?

Did you get to meet His Mother, too?

Did Jesus ever help you out in the kitchen?

Did you have many quiet conversations with Jesus?

Were there many who wanted to eat at your home when Jesus was there?

How did Lazarus and Mary feel about Jesus being at your home?

Did you and Lazarus and Mary share a home?

Were you the eldest child?

You must have been very stressed when Jesus was at your home that time.  Were there a lot of people who were hungry or was it just a bad day for you?

How did you feel when Jesus, your Master, reminded you that you were distracted because you had so much to do?

How did you feel when He reminded you that you should relax and follow your sister's lead?

Were you embarrassed?

What did you do after Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better part?

How did you feel when Jesus refused to tell Mary to go and help you?

Did you cry?

Did you forget about the kitchen and sit down with Jesus and Mary?
 
Did you continue to work in the kitchen?

How was the meal?  

Did Jesus enjoy the lovingly cooked meal you prepared?

Did Mary help?



 
 

Jesus Visits His Friends, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus

Luke 10: 38-42
Jesus Visits Mary, Martha, and Lazarus


    Jesus was tired from the long journey, and He was looking forward to His visit with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  He could see the small buildings in Bethany, and in the distance, He could see His friend Lazarus waving to Him and His Apostles.  Lazarus came running to greet Jesus,
    “My Lord,” said Lazarus, out of breath when he reached Jesus, “We look forward to your visit with us.”  Lazarus greeted the Apostles.  They greeted Lazarus in return.  The people of the village came running to greet Jesus, bringing their sick with them.  Before Jesus could even reach the outskirts of Bethany, He was touching and healing the sick and the dying. 
    Jesus saw what was in their hearts, and He was filled with compassion for them.  The Apostles tried to rush Him forward, but the crowds would not let Him pass.  He spoke to them and smiled.  He touched them, and they were healed. Lazarus smiled as he saw the children rush to Jesus.  Jesus would smile and lift them into His arms.  With some He would circle and dance.  To the weak, He would give strength.  To the widows, he would give hope.  He was there for all of His Father’s creations.
    The walk through Bethany was the most difficult part of their journey.   The apostles were complaining.  Judas squirmed close to the Master and said, “Rabbi, do not look into their eyes.  They will only want more.”  Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Do not stop anyone from coming to Me.”  Peter cleared the way ahead of the Rabbi, but  he allowed all those in need of healing or consolation to come to Jesus. 
    Lazarus, Jesus, and the apostles finally reached the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary.  Martha and Mary raced to embrace Jesus and His friends.  Martha had already been preparing the food.  She had grown anxious because of the wait.  She was afraid that dinner would be cold, so when Jesus arrived and she greeted Him, Martha rushed to the kitchen to finish preparing  Mary lead Jesus to the place of honor in their home.  Feet were washed.   Hands were washed  All were ready for the feast. Jesus began to speak so the crowds who were waiting.  Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened as He spoke.  Mary, knowing how much Jesus loved her cooking stayed in the kitchen preparing the food.   She could not hear what Jesus was saying, and she began to grow resentful that she was the only one in the kitchen working.
    Martha kept waiting for Mary to come back and help her.  Dinner was taking so long to be made because Martha was the only one working to make a meal for the Master.  She was anxious and distracted.  She finally decided that she would talk to Jesus and have Him direct Mary to come back to work with her. 
    “Jesus,” Martha said, as she worked her way back to Him.  “Jesus, Don’t you care?  I’m working alone in preparing the meal.  I need help.  My sister continues to sit here instead of helping me in the kitchen.  Tell Mary to help me.”
    Mary looked at her sister.  She was stunned by Martha’s anger.  She started to get up with tears in her eyes.  Jesus looked at Mary, and He signaled her to sit down.  Mary sat down, and Martha was stunned. 
    Jesus turned to Martha and said, gently, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things;  there is only need of one thing.  Mary has chosen the better part, and this will not be taken away from her.”  Martha bent her head in shame.  She could not answer the Master.  Jesus signaled her to sit next to Mary, which she did.  Later when dinner was served by Martha, Jesus smiled and ate a large helping of Martha’s food.  He smiled with joy as He ate.  The dinner had been cooked in spite of the interruption.  Mary worked hard serving the meal.  Martha worked alongside of her sister serving Jesus and His Apostles.