Friday February 19^th-Martha, Mary and Lazarus’ sister

Martha was a servant and she excelled in hospitality.  She paid attention to every detail.  She was not someone who sat around, she kept busy enjoying serving others.  But, like Martha we who love to serve sometimes get tired and forget to take time to rest and get refreshed.  We worry and fret.  Are we doing enough? 

Be hospitable to one another without complaint.  As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.    [I Peter 4:9-10]

Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” [Luke 10:38-42]

Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him.  [John 12:1-2]

Lord, You know how much I love to serve.  I love preparing for company and making sure everything is just right.  It brings me much joy to attend to their needs and just make them feel at home.  Thank You for gifting me with such details of hospitality.  It can be exhausting and I forget to sit down with them and enjoy their company because I worry if everything is just right.  I think of the day You came to our house and I was so worried if I had done enough.  I just wanted everything to be just right for You.  I was so frustrated I even asked [harshly I admit] that You would make her help me.  In Your loving and gracious way You reminded me that I needed to sit like my sister Mary and enjoy You.  So many times Lord I rush around and get things done and I admit not always with a grateful heart.  I complain!  Help me Lord to sit with You before I serve anyone. To serve them as if I am serving You.  Help me Lord to serve You with a grateful heart.  For all that I am is from you. 

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“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.” Luke‬ ‭10:38‬ 

‭ Martha was a giving person who welcomed Jesus and his companions into her home. I imagine that he greatly appreciated the warm  hospitality he received. Their home was a place where he felt welcomed and at ease. He knew that Martha was a hard worker and I am sure that he valued her efforts and labors. When Martha became upset and distressed, she took her troubles straight to Jesus and guess what....He listened and He cared.  

God promises that we can also bring our cares straight to Him. “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭

Jesus knows the inner turmoil of our hearts and as the Great Physician, he also knows the cure. We know from the scripture that Martha was distracted with all of her preparations. We also know that she was becoming vexed toward Mary. Jesus heard her out and then he lovingly pointed out to her that at that point in time, she was focusing on the wrong priorities. All of that busy work she was immersed in was not necessary. 

“But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."” Luke‬ ‭10:41-42‬ 

I don’t know about you , but if I am not careful, I can easily find myself “anxious and troubled about many things”. When I feel overwhelmed and tired, I also find it easier to find fault with others. In fact, I become disgruntled with all of my circumstances. It’s a vicious spiraling downward cycle. Do you find that true as well? And when that happens, I also find that I am so caught up in my busyness that I neglect my time  with God. 

The Bible tells us that Jesus loved Martha.  Because he loved her, he pointed out what she needed to correct within her heart. His goal was for her heart to find rest, peace, and comfort. This correction was meant as a blessing....one promised to us as well.  Because He loves us, He corrects us. 

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.” Job‬ ‭5:17‬ 

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew‬ ‭11:28-29‬ ‭

I believe that Martha responded favorably in her heart to the correction of Jesus. She believed in him so much that when her brother died, she went to meet him as soon as she heard he was in town. She told him she believed he could have healed her brother and then Jesus revealed to her that He had even more power than that. 

“Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."” John‬ ‭11:25-27‬ ‭

Martha showed the faith of belief. That same promise of eternal life is given to us as well. Like Martha, Jesus asks of each of us “ Do you believe?” And he promises to reward our belief in Him. He corrects us and teaches us. He does not condemn us. 

“"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭

Martha may have had some heart work to do that day that Jesus was in her home but that doesn’t mean her gifts were not valuable. When we have our priorities straight, God uses our service toward others to extend Christian warmth and grace. His Word instructs us in how to reap the full blessing of a servant’s heart. It’s about putting Him first and He promises His peace can rule in our hearts. 

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:9-10‬ ‭

“Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians‬ ‭3:12-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

 

Have you ever we begun a new ministry with the right motivation, but found along the way that somehow you got off track.? Perhaps, your idea(s) for the ministry failed to match up with reality. Your heart's motives were pure, but something went awry. 

This seems to have happened with Martha in the story Luke shares with us in Luke 10:38-42,

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.”

Martha's heart was in the right place. She knew The Master and His disciples would be tired and hungry from their journey. AND not only that, it was customary to open up one's home to weary travelers and serve them refreshments. What would the neighbor's think if Martha hadn't got busy in the kitchen? It was tradition after all! 

No, Martha was doing the right thing in her mind, while her sister was being a slacker! Can you relate to Martha? Does it ever seem like you're doing all the work while others are enjoying all the benefits?

I honestly believe this happens a lot in the ministry and why we have so many suffering from “burn out”. Unfortunately for Martha, she experienced more of a  “burned up” rather than a burn out. She got really angry FAST, and took her anger out on Jesus, accusing her Lord of not caring. Can you imagine? I can, for I've been in Martha's shoes a few times over the years in different ministries.

It's during those times that our Lord has to come sit me down and help me to see the whole picture (the one with Jesus in it). He usually accomplishes that with a list of questions:

• Whose ministry is this?
• Whose children are you serving?
• Whose given you the means and talents?
• Who always sees all that you are doing?
• And just Who are you ultimately serving?

 Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Martha’s name is the feminine version of Lord or Master.  Some early writers have said she was the wife or widow of Simon the Leper and when he died, the house in Bethany became hers.  

Martha is the older sister to Mary and Lazarus and lived in a small village, called Bethany, just 2 miles from Jerusalem on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives.

Last week I shared this amazing link to help us understand the shift in cultural norms from the Old Testament times to the New Testament times.  The role of women had drastically changed and women were no longer found out in public.  Their role was in the home.  And when Jesus shows up, He counter-culturally affirms women’s roles as disciples and invites Martha to join her sister Mary.

But Martha is older and more practical.  Her role as hospitality hostess fulfills the biblical command.  Gotquestions.org says this about hospitality:  

Hospitality can be defined as “the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.” In the New Testament, the Greek word translated “hospitality” literally means “love of strangers.” Hospitality is a virtue that is both commanded and commended throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, it was specifically commanded by God: “When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt” (Leviticus 19:33-34, emphasis added).

Our culture seems to tell us Martha was an uptight, busybody - I beg to differ.  Martha’s ability to provide food and lodging for any sojourner was a highly valued expectation.  And Jesus and His disciples enjoyed their frequent visits to her home.

Luke 10 tells us:

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[f] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

In a culture where Mary was expected to be hidden from men and behind closed doors, Jesus shows Martha that He recognized that she was working for Him, but that her household activities were hindering her spiritually - her inner communion with the Lord was hindered.  Scripture tells us she was ‘distracted’.  The New Living Translation for 1 Corinthains 7:35 says, “ I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.”  But Martha was the one who managed all the household and served, she found herself with conflicting cares.  She loved Jesus and wanted all in the house to do their best for Him.  

What I find most important to notice about Martha, is that she takes her cares and concerns directly to Jesus.  She asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her.  And when Lazarus becomes ill, she sends word to Jesus to come.  And when He arrives, she goes to Him immediately.  She is always seeking Jesus.

When we look in John (the apostle of love) 11, we see just how much Jesus loved Martha.  Jesus wanted both Martha and Mary to learn that His delays were not denials; that He knows exactly when to display His power.  He knew that this was a death that would result in Him being glorified as the Son of Man.

So when Martha heard that Jesus was on His way, she went out to meet Him and left Mary in the house.  Martha’s tendency was to be blunt, but she also knew that Jesus could ask anything of God and He would give it.  Wow!  That’s some faith!  Immediately Jesus healed her broken heart by assuring her that her brother would rise again.  No explanation of His delayed arrival was given.  Jesus began right away to unfold the truth He meant both His delay and the death of Lazarus to convey.

Martha may have been kept at home, but she obeyed the scriptures.  Martha thought the resurrection of her brother was a far-off event, but Jesus lets her know that He is power by which the dead are raised.  And when He challenged her with “Do you believe this?” 

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

Although scripture doesn’t say this, we come to understand these three titles of Jesus:

“The Christ - The One of whom glorious things had been predicted as the anointed prophet, priest and king.

The Son of God - A confession of His deity, for this is a title pertaining not to His office or position, but to His nature and Person as the Only Begotten of the Father.

He that should come into the world - This was a common description of the Jews of Him who was at once the heart of prophecy, the object of the aspiration of all illuminated and reborn souls, and the desire of all nations.” (biblegateway.com)

The final time we see Martha is again at her home to celebrate the resurrection of Lazarus and as usual she was busy being hospitable.  Mary anointed the feet of Jesus and Martha raised no objection.  Martha’s service was the same, but her spirit was richly blessed.  She was no longer “distracted” over her tasks, nor mentally anxious.  She may have been bustling around serving food to the others, but she was calm, trustful and in full agreement of her sister’s act of love and devotion to Jesus.  Martha too, has chosen that good part which could not be taken from her.

The Church requires both Martha and Mary’s.  We must learn that secular service has its place.  We must be conscious that both serving and learning are duties in how we can honor God.  We can trust the Lord with all our cares, responsibilities and sorrows knowing that He is able to undertake it all for us.  And if His help appears to be delayed, we must remember that He is never before His time, and He never lags behind.  We must offer our best to Him who broke the alabaster box of His own body that heavenly forgiveness and fragrance might be ours.

Blessings,

Lisa

 

Martha woke up early that day for there was much to be done. Soon she would be welcoming her dearest Friend into her home and preparations had to be made. She quickly got out of bed, dressed, and went to the kitchen. Gulping down a few dried figs and a small piece of bread dipped in oil, Martha’s head swirled with the thoughts of the work ahead.

Jesus was coming. And in His honor, Martha was throwing a grand dinner party. That meant food had to made, the house cleaned, and tables set. “No time for daydreaming!”, Martha thought, and the hem of her robe fluttered gently as she rushed room to room, personally overseeing every detail of the nights event. After all, it wasn’t everyday Martha hosted a dinner for her Lord, and she wanted everything to be perfect! 

As the party progressed, Martha took on the task of clearing plates and refilling glasses. She took her hosting job seriously, and made sure no guest went hungry or lacked for good wine. But it was all becoming too much. There were so many people there. Jesus brought with Him quite a large entourage, not to mention Martha’s own invited guests. Working all day and serving all night had finally caught up with her. Martha’s body was exhausted and her nerves raw. As she looked at her sister Mary reclining next to Jesus, Martha felt a lump of resentment rising in her throat. 

“Just look at her! Here I am doing all of the work as she just lies there without a care in the world. What kind of sister does that! And why doesn’t Jesus say something to her? He should tell her to get up and help me. Doesn’t He care either?” That was the last straw. Martha stormed over to Jesus demanding, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.”

As soon as Martha said the words, she was immediately ashamed. How could she have sinned so openly before her Lord? Why did she let her anger get the better of her? Unable to meet His gaze, Martha stood before Jesus with her head hung in shame. But instead of receiving a scolding, she felt Jesus tenderly place her hands in His. “Martha, Martha”, she heard Jesus softly say. “You are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Sheepishly, Martha looked into the the face of her Master. And looking back at her were not eyes filled with condemnation, but eyes filled with love and understanding. Suddenly, Martha understood. Although acts of servitude and humility are important, they should come second to the close personal fellowship that Jesus wants to experience with each of us. Oh how silly she felt. She was so busy sweating the small stuff, so busy playing the martyr, Martha was letting this awesome opportunity to be close to her Lord pass her by. Work would always be there, but Jesus would not. She sat down next Mary and let herself get swept up in the enjoyment of fellowshipping with her beloved Lord, Teacher, and Friend.

Months later Martha’s brother fell ill. She and Mary sent word to Jesus, that He might hurry and bring Lazarus the healing he so desperately needed. But Lazarus died before Jesus arrived. And this time Martha found herself busy preparing for a very different kind of gathering. 

When news came that Jesus was finally nearby, Martha rushed out to meet Him. Standing before Him, her body once again exhausted and her nerves raw, she cried out, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. Even now I know whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” Deeply moved by her agony and her faith, Jesus replied, “Your brother will rise again. I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” 

Martha didn’t hesitate for a second. Yes she believed Him. She believed Him with every ounce of her being. For Martha saw Jesus perform miracles. She heard Him teach the Word with heavenly authority. She felt the peace and hope deep in her heart that only came from Him. And so she answered, “Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ; the Son of God, even He who comes into the world.” 

Martha’s great belief in Jesus was rewarded that day when her brother walked out of his tomb alive and well! And weeks later when Jesus came for dinner, this time when Martha served, she did so with a grateful heart. For not only had her Lord saved her brother from death, He had taught a valuable lesson. God intends us to use our gifts joyfully, generously, and with attitudes of gratitude for the privilege of working for God’s kingdom. And now with her new changed attitude, Martha truly was the hostess with the mostest!

 

Our verse for this week is 1 Peter 1:3,

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God? It simply means putting Christ and the things of the Spirit first in our lives. It sounds easy enough, doesn’t it?

Each day, we are faced with choices; opportunities to invest our time and energy into, and some, although good things, may only be temporal things that have no eternal value.  Each of us has only so many hours in a day, and each of us, for the most part, have the opportunity to choose how we’ll spend those hours. The question then becomes, how many of those hours will we spend focusing on spiritual activities like reading God’s Word, prayer, teaching or serving others, etc.?

Are we focused on storing up treasures in heaven, or on worldly pleasures?

Just thinking about what you take hold of first thing in the morning could be a good indication.

We all have responsibilities regarding our family, work and other obligations and activities to tend to, and these can all be included in “seeking first the kingdom of God.” It all comes down to our free time. We need to be careful of what little time isn’t already spoken for, for I know often times I’ve taken on things that though they were good, they came at the expense of the spiritual tasks given to me. As a mom and teacher I found I was often asked to help out here and there, which ended up taking precious time away from my family, and even my own time with the Lord. And sometimes, I wouldn’t realize what I had done until damage had been done elsewhere.

Over time I’ve learned to seek Him and His ways of doing and being right, before committing to things that, though they were all good things, they just might not be meant for me to do. Seeking Him first for answers and reassurance has also helped with any guilt I may have felt declining a request for help as well. He has helped me stand firmer and know exactly what I should be doing and what I shouldn’t!