By Deb Burma

“I’m such a Martha!” I overheard a woman lamenting to her friends recently, and I smiled, as I may resemble this remark as I’ve heard it said many times before!

Appearing not to need explanation, the other women nodded in agreement, pointing to themselves. Discussion followed, including words of resignation and an admission of perceived defeat, a struggle to sit still, and a propensity toward busyness. One woman shyly admitted, “You know, I’m more of a ‘Mary,’” and all the ‘Marthas’ turned to her, sighing and nodding wistfully, wondering aloud why they weren’t more like her.

Yes, women often relate and connect to either Martha or Mary, one of the two sisters mentioned in Luke 10:38-42 (ESV). They and their brother, Lazarus, were dear friends of Jesus during His ministry. In this brief account, we learn a little about Jesus’ visit to their home in Bethany, with His disciples in tow:

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 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.”

We can envision Jesus reclining at their table,surrounded by His closest followers. With rapt attention, the disciples listened as Jesus continued to teach, even as they rested from rigorous ministry in the comfort of Martha’s home. It’s possible that her humble home was fairly bursting with visitors, as Jesus’ disciples may have numbered in the dozens at this time.

We’re quick to pick on Martha, traditionally. “After all,” we reason, “she is distracted with serving, even as Jesus, Himself, sits in her home! How could she miss the ‘one thing necessary,’ placing her priority in serving, instead?!” Then we hang our heads, recognizing our own failure to give greatest importance to time spent with Jesus. We “Marthas” admit we’ve often chosen busy work over soul quenching time with our Savior. Led to repent, we recognize a teachable takeaway from this passage of Scripture, and we readily receive God’s forgiveness, won for us in Christ!

Is there more, however, to unpack from this passage? What may we learn from both Martha and Mary, unlikely women of influence, as Jesus ministered to both sisters?

Martha’s service was valuable. With perhaps dozens of hungry people in her home, Martha was necessarily serving, taking care of others’ needs. Some chastise her for complaining to Jesus, but may we, instead, recognize not only her need for help, but also the cultural expectation that Mary would serve alongside her sister, and not be found sitting among the men.

In the ancient Jewish world, traveling religious leaders and rabbis would not have invited women into their teaching circles, so Jesus likely surprised everyone in the room as He not only welcomed Mary’s proximity and posture at His feet, but as He also gently led Martha to see her greatest need, too. He did not chastise Martha; instead, He affirmed Mary as He also acknowledged Martha’s anxious, troubled heart; indeed, He did care.

In John 11 and 12, we learn more about the sisters of Bethany, along with their brother, Lazarus. John tells us plainly that Jesus loved this little family! Martha and Mary sent word to Jesus that their brother was sick. When Jesus arrived later than they’d hoped, Martha ran to meet Him and cried out:

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” 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 11:21-27 (ESV)

Martha’s bold declaration revealed the faith of a woman who had certainly learned at Jesus’ feet, too. By her words, we know that she received “the good portion,” eternal life in Christ, confident of the final resurrection!

When Mary learned that Jesus had come, she too ran to meet Him. This woman who had faithfully learned at Jesus’ feet now fell at His feet, sobbing. Her cry, matching Martha’s, is the only recorded statement we have from Mary:

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” John 11:32 (ESV)

So moved, Jesus wept with Mary and all who mourned, just before He miraculously raised Lazarus. Jesus met each sister in her sorrow and responded as each had need. We can envision the sisters’ joy as Jesus then called Lazarus from the grave!

Soon after, just one day before Jesus’ triumphal entrance into Jerusalem for the Passover, the siblings gave a dinner party in Jesus’ honor, no doubt celebrating Lazarus’ resurrection! Once again, Martha served the Lord in her home (and this time, we don’t hear of a complaint)! Mary placed herself at Jesus’ feet again too, but this time she also honored Him by anointing His feet.

As followers of Jesus today who reflect on the influence of these sisters from Bethany, may we say we’re a bit like both sisters. Sometimes we become “distracted with much serving,” but may we be repentant and teachable, as the Holy Spirit works within us, confident that Jesus knows when we are troubled; He does care.

May we be found sitting in humility at our Savior’s feet, leaning in to listen and learn, receiving “the good portion”—lasting nourishment that cannot be taken away.

May we freely cry out to the One who has come to us, who will return on the Last Day; the One who would weep with us—who meets us in our every need.

And may we willingly serve our Savior by serving His people “… by the strength that God supplies in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11 ESV).

We can humbly say, “I’m a Mary. And I’m a Martha.” To God alone be glory. Amen.

Deb Burma is a Christian author and speaker, best known for “JOY: A Study of Philippians,” “Living a Chocolate Life,” and “Be Still & Know.”