Martha served . . .
John 12:2
Anna had a gift for noticing the hurt look in a person’s eyes. Her spiritual antennas were always rolled out in search of someone who needed a friend. Adults and teenagers found in her an attentive listener, a safe confidant, and a caring heart. She used her culinary skills to gain entrée into situations where other approaches wouldn’t work. The elders in the church often shook their heads in amazement at how often they arrived on the scene of a crisis, to discover she was already on the job.
She never stepped up to the podium or felt the warmth of the spotlight. There was no applause for what she did, no “fifteen minutes of fame.” She transported the elderly to countless medical appointments and helped them balance their checkbooks. She had honest heart-to-heart talks with kids, which is why they loved her. She was a behind-the-scenes kind of person and she didn’t crave the spotlight.
1. Describe an unsung her or heroine you know. What do you think this lack of recognition implies about the true value of their work?If Martha had a competitive streak in her, being the sister of Mary of Bethany wasn’t easy. Mary, who always did the right thing. Mary, whose actions always earned public praise. It isn’t easy to be an unsung hero, but that’s what Martha was. Truthfully, we’re like Martha most of the time―working behind the scenes, doing all sorts of ordinary things no one ever notices.For Martha, things were even worse. Not only were her contributions largely hidden, her honest reactions―and legitimate concerns―kept getting her into trouble. And we are usually very hard on Martha for her mistakes.
2. Read Luke 10:38-42 from Martha’s point of view and jot down ways the story focuses on her.
3. There’s no indication that Martha was fussing over place cards, flower arrangements, and fancy hors d’oeuvres. This was an incredible opportunity to serve Jesus. She simply wanted to do her best. If Jesus and His disciples arrived on your doorstep, hungry and tired, what would you do? Why does Martha’s complaint to Jesus make a lot of sense?
4. How would you feel if you were Martha and Jesus said to you, “Martha, Martha, only one thing really matters. Mary has found it and I won’t take it away from her”? How would you respond?
5. How are Jesus’ words an invitation to Martha, rather than a rebuke? Why did Martha need to sit at Jesus’ feet, just as much as Mary did?
6. Read Martha’s encounter with Jesus in John 11:5-6, 17-28. In this brief conversation, Martha shows herself to be as deep an thoughtful as her sister Mary. How does Jesus call Martha to trust Him in the painful present and how does she move from doubt to faith in Him? Do you relate to Martha’s battle to trust Him?
7. What parts of your life are lived “behind the scenes”? How do you feel if you’re relegated to the kitchen, when all the big things seem to be happening in the other room? How does Martha’s example help you see purpose in everything you do?
Ponder and Pray
In Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved English novel, The Secredt Garden, the young orphaned Mary Lennox stumbles upon the lost key to an untended but once beautiful walled garden on her uncle’s grand estate. At every opportunity (and beneath the radar of any adults), the little girl regularly makes her way to the garden where she covertly works and lovingly tends the long-neglected garden.
When her uncle asks her if she wants anything, her request is simple. “Might I have a bit of earth?”
God has given each of us “a bit of earth”― a territory entrusted to us where He calls us to represent Him and to advance His kingdom. Our sphere of influence can be our husband and children, the workplace, the wider community, a close circle of schoolmates, or our friends. No matter where God puts us, we have kingdom work to do.
What is your “bit of earth”? What people has God put in your life?
Adapted with permission from Understanding Purpose, ©2006 Carolyn Custis James. All rights reserved. To purchase a copy of Understanding Purpose, click here.
