The stories of the two sisters Mary and Martha
are some of the most remembered in the Bible. We learn of their many interactions with Jesus
Christ. They fed him. They housed him. They learned from him. They wept with him. They were loved by him. As we look more closely at the lives of these
two incredible women, we discover how the Savior’s love for them extends to all of
us. We too can be disciples of Christ like Mary
and Martha. In ancient times, women’s responsibilities
were primarily to prepare, cook, and serve meals while also caring for the children and
other household duties. Men worked the land and various trades such
as carpentry, pottery, and fishing. From a young age, boys were generally given
a religious education at the synagogue. During the week and on the Sabbath, the men
and boys would gather at the synagogue and learn and study the scriptures. Women were not generally afforded these same
privileges; it was always men who were trained in the law. Additionally, women normally would not socialize
or mingle with men, except for their own family. According to Jewish law, one who touched a
dead body or anyone with open sores or blood became ritually unclean. Because it was difficult to know whether a
woman was menstruating or flowing with blood, men generally avoided women. Consequently, women were not to disturb the
men but serve them behind the scenes as they discussed matters of God. Now let’s look more closely at Mary’s
and Martha’s personal circumstances. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were siblings living
in Bethany, a village just outside of Jerusalem. Apparently, Martha was quite well off as she
was the householder. As an itinerant rabbi, Jesus relied on the
support of others to feed and house both him and his disciples. Martha appeared to have the means to be able
to do this for the Master. Let’s consider the story found in Luke chapter
10 with this background in mind. Jesus arrives at Bethany with his disciples. This most likely would have been more than
just the twelve who had been asked to follow, but others as well. Martha opens her home to Jesus and these travel-weary
individuals. This monumental task, of caring for her guests,
would have fallen on Martha and Mary, not Lazarus. What Mary chooses to do instead of helping
Martha is of significant importance. She is not only mingling with Jesus and the
other men but also sitting at the Savior’s feet. This place is reserved only for the chief
disciple. Mary is seen by Jesus as deserving not only
of a religious education, but also of the seat for a chief disciple. Martha expresses frustration that she has
been left alone to care for so many guests. “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister
hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.” Jesus answers by saying her name not once
but twice, possibly to reflect his great love for ‘her, “Martha, Martha,’ the Lord
answers, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or
indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will
not be taken away from her.’” When we ponder Jesus’ answer, we see that
Martha was not necessarily being scolded, but rather lovingly taught an important principle. Jesus was not concerned with the societal
norms at the time, but rather that both men and women learn of Christ and his teachings. Mary has chosen the better part—what is
most essential for her at that moment—to sit at the feet of Jesus. Luke ends the story here. We do not know what was said next or how Martha
reacted to the Lord’s chastening. However, Martha’s story does not end here. She does not let this single moment define
her as one who criticizes her sister or doesn’t understand what is most needful. In the book of John, we discover quite the
opposite. When Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus becomes
sick, they send word for Jesus to come and heal him. In their moment of grief, they think to turn
to Christ for help and healing. After Lazarus dies and is placed in the tomb,
Martha receives word that Christ has finally come, she leaves her home and even the village
to rush to meet him. In this moment, she expresses her deep testimony
of the Savior. “Then said Martha unto 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 it thee.” What Martha says next is rarely said by those
who knew Jesus, even by his closest disciples. She testifies that he is the Messiah. “I believe that thou art the Christ, the
Son of God, which should come into the world.” Clearly Martha holds no animosity or resentment
to the One who previously had censured her. She shows us that she too has learned how
to choose the better part by rushing to his side and declaring him to be the Savior of
the world. And because of her faith, Mary and Martha
can once again enjoy the companionship of their dear brother Lazarus. This is the moment that defines Martha, one
who knows what is truly needful, Jesus the Christ. While Jesus’ interactions with Mary and
Martha offer us several lessons, let us look at just a few. First, Jesus shows us that both men and women
alike can receive a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. No one is exempt from sitting at his feet
and learning from him. While social norms might dictate otherwise,
no one should feel excluded from both receiving and sharing God’s word. All women and men can be scholars of Christ
just like Mary. Second, it is interesting to note that Jesus
did not criticize Martha for preparing the meal for him and his disciples. Just as Mary had done nothing wrong by sitting
at the feet of Jesus, Martha has done nothing wrong by running her household and serving
her guests. Where Martha needed correction was by wrongfully
assuming what another’s role should be. Whether it is as a wife, mother, divorcee,
widow, never married, homemaker, working professional, or caregiver, women’s roles are unique and
endless. When we look past our own lives and decide
what others should be doing with their own, we too could be told, “…you are worried
and upset about many things…” Instead of judging another’s choices, we
can strive to help each other fulfill one another’s unique roles on this earth. Third, we all have moments when we mistakenly
misread a situation and make the wrong judgment. These moments do not have to define who we
are. Like Martha, we can humbly acknowledge our
misstep and commit to improve by learning from the teachings of Jesus. And finally, we see that Jesus loves whom
he chastens. John tells us that “Jesus loved Martha.” We should not feel that God does not love
us when we are chastened by him. Rather we can be like Martha and continue
to have a loving relationship with our Savior even if at times we might feel censured by
him. Likewise, we can do the same for others. If at times we need to offer correction or
guidance to another, we should show an increase not a decrease of love towards them. In a world where we are worried and troubled
about many things, we can follow Mary’s and Martha’s examples by sitting at Jesus’
feet to learn his gospel and by proclaiming to all those who will hear that “Jesus is
the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.”
