“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 only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.'” – Luke 10:38-42
We’ve all heard this story, the story of Mary & Martha when Jesus visits them. Mary is sitting by the Lord’s feet, while Martha is busy getting things ready, making dinner, etc. When I read this story, I always relate to Martha. I am the type of person who is doing stuff behind the scenes and just wants everything to be perfect for my guests or whatever event is happening. Martha makes a BOLD statement to Jesus. She is certain of what needs to happen and unafraid to say something. But I am always reminded that Mary’s example is the one we need to follow.
“On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.
‘Lord,’ Martha said to Jesus, ‘if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha answered, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ she told him, ‘I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.'” – John 11:17-27
Again, Martha makes a BOLD statement, doesn’t she? She loved her brother and wanted him to come back! But she also trusted in the Lord and wasn’t afraid to share that too! Although Martha may have doubted the way things happened, she never doubted the Lord and she BOLDLY shared her faith!
God’s Love is…BOLD!
He made a BOLD statement when he brought Jesus into the world as a tiny baby!
He made a BOLD statement when the blind man could see!
He made a BOLD statement when 5,000 were fed!
He made a BOLD statement when he raised Lazarus from the dead!
He made a BOLD statement when he hung on the cross and died!
He made a BOLD statement when he rose again!
I think the John passage shows us that we can learn from Martha also! In the midst of tragedy and joy, she is not afraid to BOLDLY share her faith in Christ! Martha is certainly a reminder and example to us everyday! Life isn’t easy and sharing God’s LOVE is even harder, but the opportunity is always there.
God’s LOVE is BOLD for you and for me! Be BOLD and share God’s LOVE!
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for giving us examples like Martha to remind us of the importance of sharing our faith. Help us to BOLD in showing your love to others and remind us that our faithfulness is for you, alone.
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