Last week, I set aside a day to spring-clean my house from top to bottom. Eight hours later, I was less than halfway done, and my body screamed at me to sit down.
I assumed this job to satisfy myself. Nobody hired me, and no one from Southern Living was coming over later for an interview and photos. Still, I sensed a subtle resentment building inside my gut as I worked.
By that evening, my resentment became full-blown aggravation. My joints hurt, and I was snappish with my husband and impatient with my children (and “Their Hairy Dog”). I desperately needed a hot bath, some ibuprofen, and an attitude adjustment.
The drama of that day reminds me of my dear friend, Martha of Bethany—my kindred spirit from two thousand years ago. Of course, she doesn’t know who I am, but I like to think that when I meet her in heaven, she will look me in the eye and say, “Oh, hi! Come sit.” (I say that because she seems like the kind of person who would have a chair ready for visitors.)
The Bible only mentions Martha in a few verses, but she speaks directly to Jesus each time. That’s my kind of person. According to John 11:5, “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” The stories of Mary and Lazarus and their interactions with Jesus are profound, but today I want to talk about Martha.
I admire Martha for many reasons, all appearing succinctly in Luke 10:38-42 and John 11-12:
Martha sought Jesus. She invited Jesus into her home and ran to meet Him when He came to Bethany after her brother Lazarus died.
She was a woman of great faith. When Jesus asked if she believed He was the resurrection, she immediately acknowledged Him as Christ.
She was honest and forthright with Jesus. She spoke boldly, even when she was wrong.
Martha was “all in.” Jesus included women throughout His ministry at a time when no one else did. Martha recognized and embraced this privilege with all she had to offer Him.
Martha was human. After inviting Jesus and the disciples into her home, Martha decides to clean the house and make snacks for them. Her sister usually helps, but today Mary chooses to sit with Jesus (an extremely important story for another day). So, Martha forges ahead alone.
I’m certain she felt a tugging to sit down with Jesus too, but Martha pushes through it. As she works, I imagine a subtle resentment growing in her belly. Martha becomes tired, snappy, and impatient. Her feelings erupt, and she asks Jesus:
“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40 NIV).
In response to her outburst, Jesus lovingly replies:
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42 NIV).
Jesus understood Martha. Rather than dismissing Mary, Jesus offered Martha something better: Himself. My favorite fact about Martha is that she was seen, acknowledged, and invited to sit with her Lord.
Jesus sees all His daughters. He knew exactly how my day went last week. He heard my snappy replies, felt my tense stomach muscles, and saw my aggravated heart. And do you know what? He went ahead and loved me anyways and invited me to set it all down and spend time with Him instead.
My house is still winter-dirty because Their Dog is still hairy, but my stomach is at peace. I know that Jesus understands me too.
Like Martha, Jesus also answers when I seek Him, forms my faith in Him, listens to my honest and forthright confessions, and celebrates that I am “all in.” He also leans into the places where I am human and responds lovingly to my pain.
Whatever my attitude, Jesus invites me to sit down with Martha and Mary and choose Him as the only thing I need. And guess what? You are invited to leave the dishes and the dirt and sit down too.
© 2023 Lori Myers Berry