Sticking Up for Martha

A few of Jesus' closest friends, Mary and Martha, repeatedly show up throughout all four gospel texts. The most popular story of these two ladies is the infamous tale of Jesus' visit to their home. As the story goes, Mary spends the evening at the feet of Jesus, lavishing him with praise, while Martha is busy with the details of the event and fails to spend any real, quality time with Jesus.

Due to this story, Martha is often looked down upon in Christian circles. She is chastised for her Type-A personality. She is criticized for being a busy-body. She is disparaged for caring more about preparing for a meal than for Jesus. And she is in direct comparison with her sister, Mary, who faithfully worships and adores Jesus throughout the night.*

In our Lenten passage for the day (John 11), however, we are shown an entirely different Martha. The passage is the story of the death of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha and a dear friend of Jesus. Upon hearing of Lazarus' illness, Jesus waits a few more days before visiting his friend. In that time, Lazarus has passed away and the story seems dire. As Jesus arrive at Lazarus' home in Judea, he is greeted by Martha and her immense faith is put on display. Martha immediately chides Jesus for not arriving sooner to save her brother, but declares her faith in him by stating, "But I know that even now God will give whatever you ask" (11:22). Jesus tells Martha that Lazarus will be raised from the dead because Jesus is the "resurrection and the life." She then proceeds to show even greater faithfulness by saying, "I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."

Sheesh. Even some of the disciples, Jesus' closest companions, weren't able to make that kind of declaration. And yet, we often criticize this woman for having less faith than her sister? As I read this passage today, I was convicted of the need for basic, honest trust that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, who was to come into the world -- and that he is the resurrection and the life. We are situated in a dark world full of death and destruction, and a dark week that is heading for a cross, but we must cling to the faith of Martha. We must cling to the hope of Jesus, that the resurrection and the life is still in control, slowly but surely moving from death to life, slowly but surely restoring and redeeming all things.

*This seems like an unfair and incorrect comparison, but that is for another blog post.