Mary, Martha and Jesus

Mary and Martha were sisters who lived in a village in Bethany, which was near Jerusalem. They were devoted followers who provided support to Jesus during his ministry in the Holy Land more than 2000 years ago. Mary was the woman who anointed Jesus with oil, washed his feet with her tears and wiped them dry with her hair as an act of repentance. Martha and her sister Mary and brother Lazarus were loved deeply by Jesus. They had a very close relationship with Jesus.

One story in the Bible that showed the great friendship between Jesus and Martha and Mary can be found in Luke 10:38-42. Here is the story: “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘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.’”

Jesus visited Mary and Martha in their home and Mary and Martha welcomed Jesus. In fact, both women were terribly excited about the visit of Jesus, and their excitement were expressed in two different ways. Mary was so happy about the visit that when Jesus started talking, she sat by with him and just listened and listened to what Jesus had to say. They had a conversation of two friends who appeared to had not seen each other for quite a while. Martha was so happy about the visit that she became so busy with the preparations of the food and other things that she was going to give to Jesus.

These reactions of Mary and Martha are quite normal, quite human. Mary’s reaction is typical of women’s reaction to this kind of situation. Women enjoy talking with someone whom they love and have not seen for quite a while. Well, everybody enjoys talking with someone whom they like and have not seen for some time! Or think of young teenaged girls and their rock idols. When their rock idols are in their towns, these teenaged girls want to be where their idols are and sing along with them. And so is Martha’s reaction: it is quite typical of wives and mothers who become so very busy preparing the house for the special guest who is to come.

However, in the story in Luke 10:38-42, Martha complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping her in the preparations and requested Jesus to asked Mary to help her. Jesus rebuked her gently, telling her that “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Jesus was telling Martha that she was worrying a lot about her preparations and that it would be better for her to listen to what he had to say and to have a conversation with him first. Jesus was telling her that she was more important than the preparations she was making for him. Jesus was telling her she matters to him! And most of all, Jesus was telling her that God’s words are the only essentials things that matter in her life and their friendship. 

Without God’s words, there is no life.

Mary and Martha were witnesses to this truth: When their brother Lazarus died, Jesus raised him from the dead. Said Jesus at the tomb of Lazarus: “Lazarus, come forth.” Lazarus did and he was alive again. 

RELATED BIBLE VERSES

“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone.’” - Luke 4:4, NIVUK
“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” - Matthew 24:35, KJV
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” - John 1:1-2, KJV
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things [food and clothes] will be given to you as well.” - Matthew 6:33, NIVUK

Note: Bible Reference - Luke 10:38-42 / NIVUK