Free to Rise: Women in God's StoryMuestra

THE FIGHTER 

Martha of Bethany is most commonly known as being the “busy” sister, but if you look closely at her stories in the Gospels, you’ll find there was a lot more to her than an affinity for doing. 

Yes, she was the one in the kitchen, preparing food for her guests, seeing to everyone’s needs -- a job she took very seriously, so much so that she complained to Jesus about her sister’s lack of help. But he responded by essentially saying, “It’s okay to relax, you know?”

But Martha was more to Jesus than someone who merely received his critique. In John 11, we learn that Jesus loved her.

What did he love about her? Perhaps it was that she spoke with unedited honesty. Or the raw openness she maintained when approaching her frustrations and hurts. When something seemed unfair, she didn’t hide her objections. If something seemed wrong, she sought what was right. There was no deceit or backbiting. Perhaps he loved her servant-heart -- or her tasty cooking!  All we know for certain is that Jesus loved Martha. 

Maybe that’s why she felt comfortable coming to him with her concerns. Feeling overstretched and alone while taking care of everyone else, she petitioned Jesus. What does this say about Martha?

She trusted that he would listen and take her seriously, that he wouldn’t talk down to her, or make her feel ashamed for being outspoken. Martha had the right perspective in how she viewed Jesus. And because of this, she had the confidence to stand up for herself without fear of being rejected. 

She seems like the kind of woman who, when something is unfair, won’t hesitate to say so. If something upsets her, she’s forthright about it. If someone slights her, instead of holding onto resentment, she speaks openly about it.  

Sometimes I wonder if we focus on the wrong point of Martha’s and Mary’s story. So often the overarching message is: we should be like Mary, not like Martha. Yet perhaps the focus was never meant to be on Martha’s busyness, but rather how Jesus knows that sometimes we just need to sit at his feet. And that when we reach such a place in our lives, he would rather we rest there, for however long we might need to. And I like to think, in that moment, Martha understood this. It’s why the story ends there, why she didn’t continue to argue or petition.

Like all women with some fight in them, this wasn’t the only time we hear of Martha speaking up for herself. 

When her brother Lazarus died, and Jesus showed up late to the funeral, Martha went out to meet him while Mary stayed at home with those who mourned. In the midst of her suffering, she wanted to be near Jesus. 

Coming to him, she explained that if he’d only been there, everything would’ve turned out alright. I can imagine their conversation. Martha, tears steadily flowing down her cheeks, airing her disappointment to Jesus. And him responding with tender comfort. 

Her brother had been laid to rest in the tomb for four days at this point, yet she hadn’t given up hope. After voicing her hurts, Martha reminded Jesus that God would do whatever he asked. And scripture tells us that he did indeed raise Lazarus from the dead.

How jubilant Martha must’ve felt. The miracle Jesus performed that day was nothing short of astounding, but Martha’s fervent trust in Jesus was impressive, too. So great was her faith that she proclaimed Jesus as Lord before witnessing him raise her brother from death. 

She had the right perspective of Jesus. Martha recognized Jesus’ divinity -- and she never doubted his compassion or love for her. I pray we all could be a little bit more like Martha.

By Amanda Miah, Strategic Initiatives Manager at Tearfund USA