Martha is an older sister. She is an older sister to Mary. Martha is generally shown to Christian women as an example of what not to do. To not be so wrapped up in busy work, the making of meals and supplying hospitality. Her sister, Mary, is offered as the example of what we should do. We should sit at the feet of Jesus. We should rest. We should not be concerned with earthly things like food, warmth, drink and other comforts that can distract us from what truly matters.
It's not that easy though. To just stop doing what the world expects you to do. During Martha's time, it was expected that a meal would be prepared. That traveler's feet would have a place to be rinsed off. Martha was doing the work that she had been taught to do. That she had probably done since she was a young girl. People came, the women took care of them.
I get it. Being a sister that feels the pressure to make sure everything is good for her guests. Being the one to host the visitors is a lot of work. It starts a few days before your guests arrives and doesn't end until you get the last slotted spoon back in it's proper place. In a Middle Eastern society that laid heavy emphasis on the host treating their guests properly, it was doubly important for a home to run smoothly and generously when guests came.
Why does Jesus chastise Martha? Luke 10:38-42 tells us it was because Martha was "worried about many things." What things we don't know, but it was things she didn't need to bother with at that moment. When Martha tried to bring Mary into her busy work, Martha was calling Mary away from the feet of Jesus. At this time, it was more appropriate to be resting at the Teacher's feet than worrying about the never-ending list to do around the house.
Martha needed a break. She was tired, nervous about hosting and anxious. Often, as women who serve in Christian circles, we get that way also. There's so much work to be done, it does not feel like we have permission to stop. To sit and rest. After all, idle hands are the devil's playground. This idea of being busy equating sanctification is a lie. It supplants the Truth that we need times to take a break. To be restored so we can pour out again when it's our turn to serve.
Later in Scripture, we see another interaction between Jesus and Martha. Martha and Mary have just
lost their brother Lazarus. All three siblings were close to Jesus. They hosted He and His disciples in their home. They shared meals together. Jesus and the family were intimates. When Jesus get's to their home after being delayed, Mary and Martha are greatly upset. They are both angry that Jesus didn't get their sooner. But Martha and Jesus have a conversation that shows Martha had matured. That she had learned to set aside her busy-work and sit at the feet of Jesus. Mary and Marth get to see Lazarus come back to life. It's a miracle they are ever grateful for.
Later, at the cross, Martha is one of the Myrrh-bearing women that came to anoint Jesus's body for burying. She came with her sister Mary, along with the other women that had been loved and taught by Jesus. Martha was in the garden with Mary when Jesus showed Himself to them. Martha learned the truth to sit and rest. Let us embrace that lesson as well, so we too can find ourselves with our resurrected King in the Garden.
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