JD Abshire

I believe the Bible shows us that Martha had an impetuous nature. Apparently she was not only busy but also a busy-body.Why do I say this? 

Let's look at Luke 10 beginning with verse 38. "Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house."
v. 39 "And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word."
v. 40 "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."
v.41 "And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:"
v. 42 "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

John 11:19 "And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother."
v. 20 "Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house."
v; 21 "Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died."
v. 22 "But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee."
v. 23 "Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again."
v. 24 "Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day."
v. 25 "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"
v. 26 "And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"
v. 27 "She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."
v. 28 "And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee."

First In Luke's account we hear Martha telling the Lord to instruct Mary! Wow! She must have thought she really had it going on! Luke 10:40. (Lord, don't you care that I'm working my fingers to the bone while my sister sits there doing nothing? Tell her to come help me! My paraphrase.) If she felt Mary wasn't doing her share of the work why did she not call Mary off to the side privately and ask her to help? This would have been the proper thing to do. Isn't this the case so often today? Rather than talk TO people about our grievances we talk ABOUT them.

John 10:19 tells us that many of the Jews came to comfort Martha and Mary. Mary was still at home and in the presence of company. John 10:28 states that Martha called Mary "secretly". Why secretly? Based on Martha's nature I believe it is obvious her intent was to manipulate through deception. She felt Mary could accomplish more with the Lord than she. 

We have two women who obviously believed in the Messiah of Israel yet concerning personal relationship with the Lord, they were in stark contrast. Martha is so typical of many churches and church members today, extremely "busy" performing righteous acts and deeds. Just like Martha they assume their "good works" automatically earns the Lord's favor and in so doing, they are in God's will. Not necessarily. Our first and most important ministry is to ourselves! If we are so busy doing good things when is there time to do what is needful and which is best? Only when we sit at the master's feet in prayerful submission, reading and meditating on his Word do we enjoy his sweet fellowship. Only then are we in God's will and empowered to serve him.

September 16 2014 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Samuel Azuchi

I can pretty much relate this with how my dad communicated with his kids at difficult times, when we were younger. I guess we often witness the interplay of such a dynamic in the communication between parents and their children when there is 'tension in the air'. At such times, everyone is expected to know what to do, and carry on in certain ways, without asking too many questions.

It's also possible that this recorded instance is perhaps a reflection of an on-going pattern: First, person to meet and greet The Lord should go and inform the other that he sends for her. 

There are a couple of valid reasons why we may conclude that Martha was not lying when she told Mary that the Lord was calling her, even though the text did not explicitly indicate so. The very fact that the Lord stood yet at the same spot, within the city gates, until Mary came and met him there, indicates that either there was some form of unspoken communication between him and Martha, or the writer did not consider it important to narrate the Lord's request to send for Mary.

September 16 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report