WHO WAS MARTHA?
- Martha was the sister of Mary and Lazarus, and they all lived in a village called Bethany.
- Martha was known for being super hospitable. She loved making sure everything was just right for her guests, especially when Jesus came over.
- But Martha also had moments of doubt. When her brother Lazarus passed away, she was upset and wondered why Jesus hadn’t come sooner to heal him. Still, she believed in Jesus as the Messiah, and He ended up raising Lazarus from the dead, showing Martha the amazing power of faith.
READ IN YOUR BIBLE
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
STORY: MARTHA STRESSED AND FRAZZLED
The midday sun streamed through the open window of Martha’s modest home, casting golden light over the clay walls. Outside, the dusty road shimmered in the heat, and the hum of bees danced with the scent of freshly baked bread wafting from the oven. Inside, however, the air was thick with tension.
Martha wiped a bead of sweat from her brow as she stirred a steaming pot of lentils over the fire. The aroma of garlic and herbs filled the room, but it did little to soothe her frayed nerves. Her mind raced with the endless tasks at hand. The plates needed washing; the bread needed cooling, and the figs had to be arranged just so.
“Why does it always feel like there’s never enough time?” she muttered under her breath, glancing towards the main room. There sat her sister, Mary, cross-legged on the floor, her face calm and serene. She wasn’t lifting a finger to help. Instead, she was sitting at the feet of their guest—Jesus—listening intently to His every word.
Martha’s chest tightened with frustration as she slammed the clay pot back onto the table. The clatter echoed through the house. She couldn’t understand it.
Her mind buzzed with a flurry of emotions: irritation, exhaustion, and, deep down, a flicker of envy. Mary looked so peaceful, while Martha felt like a storm—wild and chaotic.
Taking a deep breath, Martha stormed into the room, her apron smudged with flour. Her voice wavered, a mixture of indignation and desperation. “Lord,” she said, her tone sharp, “don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
Jesus looked up, His face calm, His eyes full of kindness that seemed to pierce through the noise in her heart. The room fell silent. Martha could hear the faint chirping of birds outside and the crackle of the fire in the other room.
“Martha, Martha,” He said gently. “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.”
Martha stood frozen, the words hanging in the air.
She glanced around the room, noticing for the first time how peaceful Jesus looked as He spoke, and how still Mary sat.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but also with relief. Jesus wasn’t scolding her. He was inviting her. Inviting her to pause, to let go of the endless striving, and to simply be.
With a sigh, Martha untied her apron and set it aside. She lowered herself to the floor beside Mary, feeling the cool clay tiles beneath her hands. For the first time that day, she allowed herself to breathe deeply. The tasks would still be there, but for now, she chose to listen—to rest in the presence of the One who brought peace.
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN
Today we want to talk about one part of the story and what it means. And that’s when Jesus says: ““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.”
What does that even mean? We look at a few parts and discuss it on the podcast – so make sure to hit play and listen along with us.
TOP TAKEAWAYS
- Make Time for Jesus
- Don’t Let Stress Take Over
- Learn to Rest and Reflect
LET’S PRAY
Dear Jesus, thank you for a new day–thank you that we can come to you and spend time with you and in your presence. Lord I ask that you help us put you first and not let the stresses of life take over. Please bless each girl that is listening and give them the peace they need today. In your name, Amen.
