According to the Bible, Martha and Mary, along with their brother Lazarus, lived in Bethany, which was only about two miles from Jerusalem (John 11:18). Apparently, they were all well-known in the neighbourhood, as we learn from verse 19 that many Jews came to comfort Martha and Mary when their brother Lazarus died. We may also observe that Jesus cherished all three—He loved them (verse 5).
But, before we get into the tale of Mary and Martha’s faith, examine another occasion when Jesus engaged with the sisters and delivered one of His most famous comments.
The occasion is described in Luke 10:38-42. Jesus had entered the village and was invited into Martha’s home. It was typically customary to invite visitors inside one’s house for a supper. In this situation, Martha did it, and as previously said, Jesus knew the family.
Martha, the hostess, was busy preparing the food and ensuring that it would be served properly. That was a lot of work! Martha quickly felt furious that her sister, Mary, was not assisting. Jesus was sitting down in the home, and Mary was attentively listening to His words.
Martha, despite having allowed Jesus into her home, became frustrated and approached Jesus, challenging Him, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” Martha then bravely implored Him to “tell her to help me.”
What follows is the well-known line Jesus used: “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.”
The point is that Martha felt worried and stressed. Even though she acknowledged that Jesus was “Lord” and had invited Jesus in for a meal, both facts were obscured by the reality that Martha was doing all of the work, which was becoming stressful! But Jesus shared instruction on a very crucial component of life that we all need to consider: “One thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Sometimes we are so busy in life that we need to take a step back and reflect on what is most essential. Mary was doing it. She was listening to Jesus. And Christ’s words, when believed and acted upon, can help us live the lives we should.
Mary took advantage of Jesus’ presence and listened to him. It was her priority at the time. Do we recognize the necessity for similar priorities? We should take the time to pay attention to the words of our Savior—and fortunately, we can do so at any moment when we are reading the Scriptures.
Some time later, their brother Lazarus got very ill, and both sisters notified Jesus. They had faith that He was going to heal Lazarus of his illness. But Jesus did not arrive immediately because He planned to perform a miracle “for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:3-4).
Lazarus passed away, and his sisters were understandably devastated. When Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead and buried for at least four days (verse 11). Martha and Mary each approached Jesus separately, saying, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died” (Martha in verse 21 and Mary in verse 32).
In verse 22, we witness Martha’s strong faith. She truly trusted that Jesus could accomplish anything and added, “But even now, I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” This was after Lazarus had died and been buried—what was she asking of Jesus? She thought that Jesus could accomplish anything!
Jesus then said emphatically, “Your brother will rise again.”
After Jesus said these words, Martha reacted, and what follows is an intriguing conversation between Martha and Jesus. Verses 24-27 reveal much of Martha’s beliefs and knowledge regarding God’s purpose.
“Martha told Him, ‘I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus answered to Mary, “I am the resurrection and the life.” He who believes in Me, though he dies, will live. And whomever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe it?
“She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.'”
Few individuals at the time believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Martha was one of the few who believed in the resurrection; she knew the dead will rise again. Martha’s comments during this chat indicate that she had a deep faith.
Later, in verse 28, we learn that after saying these things, she went her way and quietly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.”
When Mary approached Jesus, she said that if He had been present, Lazarus would still be living. Mary was extremely disturbed by her brother’s death and wept, as were all around her. The scene was incredibly touching for Christ. In fact, the Bible’s shortest verse appears at this point: “Jesus wept” (verse 35).
Jesus, still groaning, approached Lazarus’ tomb. He was going to execute a miracle for the glory of God (verse 40). The story is found in verses 41–44:
“Then they removed the stone from where the deceased man was lying. And Jesus lifted His eyes and said, ‘Father, thank You for hearing me. And I know You always hear me, but I stated this so that the people standing by might believe You sent me. Now when He had said these things, He shouted out loudly, ‘Lazarus, come forth!’
And he who had died emerged bound hand and foot with grave clothes, his face shrouded in a cloth. Jesus told them, “Loose him and let him go.”
This was an incredible event that elicited a very great response. “Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him” (verse 45).
Indeed, one of the miracle’s goals was to accomplish this. Jesus wanted Martha, Mary, and the others to believe and see God’s glory (verse 40).
However, not everyone believed in the miracle, and some conspired against Jesus. “Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death” (verse 53).
After Lazarus’ resurrection and before Jesus Christ died on the cross, Mary reappeared; this time, she accomplished something that would be remembered forever.
The narrative appears in John 12:1-3: “Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived in Bethany, where He found Lazarus, who had died and was been raised from the dead. There they prepared supper for Him, and Martha served, but Lazarus was among those who sat at the table with Him. Then Mary took a pound of expensive spikenard oil and anointed Jesus’ feet before wiping them with her hair. And the house was filled with the oil’s scent.”
As verse 5 suggests, it was an expensive present fit for a king (about 300 denarii, or roughly 300 days’ earnings for a worker!). It was an act of honor, worship, and submission.
So, what were Jesus’ thoughts on this? The answer can be found in John 12:7, as well as in the story in Matthew 26:12-13: Jesus responded, “For by pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she prepared for My burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what this woman has done will be remembered as a tribute to her.”
What Mary accomplished at the time (as recorded in John 11:2) became part of the gospel message. Jesus Christ was anointed with oil before He died.
According to the record, both Mary and Martha recognized Jesus as the Messiah. They both worshiped Him as Lord and had strong faith. Both believed in Jesus Christ’s teachings and served as examples for us.
Are you a woman of faith?
- Do you prioritize quiet time with Jesus in prayer and the Bible study?
- Do you worship Jesus with your best substance and resources?
- Do you believe in Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life?
If you are not born again, simply say this prayer from your heart and make Jesus the Lord of your life:
Dear Jesus, I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness. I believe in your death and resurrection for me and I accept you as my Lord and saviour from today. Thank you for saving my soul.
