Martha

Luke 10:38 CSB

While they were traveling, he entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.

INTRO—

**WELL DONE**

= PERFECTION

???

= GROWTH!

MARTHA

[[We have no information on her birth, previously married, etc. We meet her at this point and that is all.]]

Sister of Mary (Luke 10:39 “She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what he said.” )

Sister of Lazarus (John 11:1–2 “Now a man was sick—Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. Mary was the one who anointed the Lord with perfume and wiped his feet with her hair, and it was her brother Lazarus who was sick.”)

Lived in Bethany (John 11.1, 18; about 2 miles from Jerusalem; map)

Well Done, Martha…

Growth: Service [John 10.38-42; John 12.1-8]

Serving — Problem of Priority (Luke 10.38-42)

First = I’m serving — and thinking that my sister should, too.

Second = Missed opportunity — the better choice in the moment is ‘be like Mary.’

[[Also note — Jesus didn’t say anything until Martha made it an issue.]]

Serving — Peaceful Performance (John 12.1-8)

First = Jesus is in town…so, a dinner party for Jesus at Martha/Mary/Lazarus’ house.

Second = Martha was serving them

Third = Mary took expensive perfume and anointed/washed Jesus’ feet.

Fourth = Mary said…NOTHING! [But, Judas sure did.]

***SOO — The growth occured in learning the best opportunity in the moment; AND in learning contentment in how I am shaped for ministry (& not expecting everyone to be/do just like me).

Growth: Understanding [John 11.17-27]

((Context — 11.1-16 = Report of Lazarus’ illness, delay, death [“only asleep”…’really?’]

“In the tomb four days (v. 17) = ALL HOPE is gone! [Helps explain the deep(er) sorrow of Martha & Mary]))

In understanding the truth… [a great conversation between her and Jesus!]

Her sorrow—as well as Mary’s (vv. 21, 32) = “If only you’d been here.” (not [necessarily] an accusation or rebuke; an expression of belief/disappointment, lament)

Her profession (confession) of faith (v. 22) = “I know whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” (Ask for what? — comfort in sorrow; immediate resurrection? maybe/not)

Their back-and-forth (vv. 23-26) = ‘Rise again…yes, at the last day…“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me…” dies, will live…lives, will never die…“Do you believe this?”’

Her ultimate confession (v. 27) = “YES, LORD…I believe you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who comes into the world.” (significant! — You are…the Messiah…the Son of God…(the one) who comes into the world)

[NOTE: this does not make her ‘fully arrived.’]

CONCL—

Jesus’ response to Martha’s (& Mary’s) faith and sorrow and faith…

John 11:33–44 “When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, he was deeply moved in his spirit and troubled. “Where have you put him?” he asked. “Lord,” they told him, “come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Couldn’t he who opened the blind man’s eyes also have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. “Remove the stone,” Jesus said.

Martha, the dead man’s sister, told him, “Lord, there is already a stench because he has been dead four days.”

[Still room for growth; V. 39 KJV = Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.]

Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?” So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you heard me. I know that you always hear me, but because of the crowd standing here I said this, so that they may believe you sent me.” After he said this, he shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out bound hand and foot with linen strips and with his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unwrap him and let him go.”” [[!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]] ( — AND…apparently he didn’t stinketh…too bad.)

**Well Done from God…for MARTHA for…

GROWTH

Serving Others

Understanding Truth

INVITATION:

Salvation

Growth

Service

Understanding

John 12:8 CSB

For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.”