Mary and Martha, Disciples of Christ

The stories of the two sisters Mary and Martha are some of the most remembered in the Bible. We learn of their many interactions with Jesus Christ. They fed him. They housed him. They learned from him. They wept with him. They were loved by him. As we look more closely at the lives of these two incredible women, we discover how the Savior’s love for them extends to all of us. We too can be disciples of Christ like Mary and Martha.

In ancient times, women’s responsibilities were primarily to prepare, cook, and serve meals while also caring for the children and other household duties. Men worked the land and various trades such as carpentry, pottery, and fishing. From a young age, boys were generally given a religious education at the synagogue. During the week and on the Sabbath, the men and boys would gather at the synagogue and learn and study the scriptures. Women were not generally afforded these same privileges; it was always men who were trained in the law.

Additionally, women normally would not socialize or mingle with men, except for their own family. According to Jewish law one who touched a dead body or anyone with open sores or blood became ritually unclean. Because it was difficult to know whether a woman was menstruating or flowing with blood, men generally avoided women. Consequently, women were not to disturb the men but serve them behind the scenes as they discussed matters of God.

Now let’s look more closely at Mary’s and Martha’s personal circumstances. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were siblings living in Bethany, a village just outside of Jerusalem. Apparently, Martha was quite well off as she was the householder. As an itinerant rabbi, Jesus relied on the support of others to feed and house both him and his disciples. Martha appeared to have the means to be able to do this for the Master.

Let’s consider the story found in Luke chapter 10 with this background in mind. Jesus arrives at Bethany with his disciples. This most likely would have been more than just the 12 who had been asked to follow, but others as well. Martha opens her home to Jesus and these travel-weary individuals. This monumental task, of caring for her guests, would have fallen on Martha and Mary, not Lazarus.

Jesus at the home of Mary and Martha by Robert Leinweber

What Mary chooses to do instead of helping Martha is of significant importance. She is not only mingling with Jesus and the other men, but also sitting at the Savior’s feet. This place is reserved only for the chief disciple. Mary is seen by Jesus as deserving not only of a religious education, but also of the seat for a chief disciple. Martha expresses frustration that she has been left alone to care for so many guests. “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.” (Luke 10:40).

Jesus answers by saying her name not once but twice, possibly to reflect his great love for ‘her, “Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answers, ‘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.’” (Luke 10:41-42 NIV).

When we ponder Jesus’ answer, we see that Martha was not necessarily being scolded, but rather lovingly taught an important principle. Jesus was not concerned with the societal norms at the time, but rather that both men and women learn of Christ and his teachings. Mary has chosen the better part—what is most essential for her at that moment—to sit at the feet of Jesus.

Luke ends the story here. We do not know what was said next or how Martha reacted to the Lord’s chastening. However, Martha’s story does not end here. She does not let this single moment define her as one who criticizes her sister or doesn’t understand what is most needful. In the book of John, we discover quite the opposite.

When Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus becomes sick, they send word for Jesus to come and heal him. In their moment of grief, they think to turn to Christ for help and healing. After Lazarus dies and is placed in the tomb, Martha receives word that Christ has finally come, she leaves her home and even the village to rush to meet him. In this moment, she expresses her deep testimony of the Savior.
“Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” (John 11:21-22). What Martha says next is rarely said by those who knew Jesus, even by his closest disciples. She testifies that he is the Messiah. “I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.” (John 11:27).

Clearly, Martha holds no animosity or resentment to the One who previously had censured her. She shows us that she too has learned how to choose the better part by rushing to his side and declaring him to be the Savior of the world. And because of her faith, Mary and Martha can once again enjoy the companionship of their dear brother Lazarus. This is the moment that defines Martha, one who knows what is truly needful, Jesus the Christ.

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead by Léon Bonnat

While Jesus’ interactions with Mary and Martha offer us several lessons, let us look at just a few.
First, Jesus shows us that both men and women alike can receive a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Jesus Christ. No one is exempt from sitting at his feet and learning from him. While social norms might dictate otherwise, no one should feel excluded from both receiving and sharing God’s word. All women and men can be scholars of Christ just like Mary.

Second, it is interesting to note that Jesus did not criticize Martha for preparing the meal for him and his disciples. Just as Mary had done nothing wrong by sitting at the feet of Jesus, Martha has done nothing wrong by running her household and serving her guests. Where Martha needed correction was by wrongfully assuming what another’s role should be. Whether it is as a wife, mother, divorcee, widow, never married, homemaker, working professional, or caregiver, women’s roles are unique and endless. When we look past our own lives and decide what others should be doing with their own, we too could be told, “…you are worried and upset about many things…” Instead of judging another’s choices, we can strive to help each other fulfill one another’s unique roles on this earth.

Third, we all have moments when we mistakenly misread a situation and make the wrong judgment. These moments do not have to define who we are. Like Martha, we can humbly acknowledge our misstep and commit to improve by learning from the teachings of Jesus.

And finally, we see that Jesus loves whom he chastens. (see Hebrews 12:6) John tells us that “Jesus loved Martha.” (John 11:5) We should not feel that God does not love us when we are chastened by him. Rather we can be like Martha and continue to have a loving relationship with our Savior even if at times we might feel censured by him. Likewise, we can do the same for others. If at times we need to offer correction or guidance to another, we should show an increase not a decrease of love towards them.

In a world where we are worried and troubled about many things, we can follow Mary’s and Martha’s examples by sitting at Jesus’ feet to learn his gospel and by proclaiming to all those who will hear that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world.”

Script by Heather Ruth Pack

The Widow of Nain

In the New Testament, we read of the miracle Jesus performed in Nain—raising a widow’s son from the dead. As we study this story’s historical context, we’ll discover she had stood to lose far more than just her beloved son. She would lose her financial security, her property and inheritance, and even her legacy and name. Christ’s miracle of restoring the son also restored her. Like the widow of Nain, through the atonement of Jesus Christ, we too can be restored to all that the Father has promised us.

The story begins just following the miracle of the Savior healing a centurion’s servant while at Capernaum (Luke 7:1-10). Nain is located about 20 miles south of Capernaum and well off the main road. The village was just a small farming community with probably no more than a few hundred people. As Jesus arrives with a large group, he sees the procession of mourners carrying the dead body of a widow’s only son. According to Jewish custom, if someone died, the body was to be prepared and buried on the same day. The fact that this woman had already lost her husband, and now her only son, would have significant implications on her future life.

Bearing many children today is often almost seen as a novelty in many societies. However, in ancient times, raising a large family, especially sons, was critical for a prosperous life. A bride and groom would marry while still in their teens and begin having as many children as soon as possible. Adult sons were seen as a form of Social Security so to speak. They would care for their parents and support them as they aged and became unable to farm and care for their land. Typically, only about half of a woman’s offspring would make it to adulthood. As a result, a couple would need to start young to bear as many children as possible ensuring financial security in their old age. Losing her only son meant this woman has lost hope for future prosperity.

In addition, women were not allowed to own property, meaning if a woman lost her husband, the property could only be transferred to a male descendant. Because of this, the law of Moses provided a way to ensure seed to the deceased husband through what is called the Levirate Law (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). In essence, if a man’s widow has no children, it is the duty of the deceased’s brother or nearest kin to marry her so that she might bear a child who would then belong to her first husband. The Levirate Law would thus preserve her claim on her inheritance of her husband’s land. Luke describes the dead son as a young man, which the original Greek word implies that he is probably in his mid-twenties. Unfortunately, this means that even if she took advantage of the Levirate law, the widow is now most likely too old to bear more children. Having lost her husband and now her only son, this woman has lost hope for posterity and thus any right to property.

With no sons to inherit her husband’s estate, her situation is desperate. She will now most likely become homeless and forced to live in poverty. Begging for her very survival, she will be at the mercy of the tiny town of Nain. In Deuteronomy, we read that widows are to be cared for according to the law of Moses (Deuteronomy 27:19). While those living in Nain would have been well aware of this obligation, it is not a given such a small community could adequately provide for her needs. But even if they could, they may still not choose to come to her aid. The widow has now lost all hope for a financially secure future.

Many of her townspeople also likely saw such a devastating loss of both husband and son as a curse from God for having sinned in some way. Due to the judgment of others, her reputation potentially would now be sullied as well. Even more tragic, with no one to carry on the family’s name, she will not be remembered in future generations; her story is now cut off from the story of Israel. The widow has lost hope for a legacy.

Jesus raising the son of the widow of Nain by Anton Robert Leinweber

It is at this very moment—in her time of greatest sorrow—Jesus comes to her. He has left the main road, traveling off the beaten path precisely when the widow needed him most (Luke 7:11-12). Jesus had to have known precisely when the son would die in order to arrive at the exact time of his burial, occurring the same day as his death. With great compassion, Jesus walks up to the grieving widow and says simply “Weep not.” (Luke 7:13). What he does next most likely would have surprised all who witnessed the loving act. He touches the funeral bier, what the dead son was resting on. By touching the bier, Jesus becomes ritually unclean. He then says to the dead son, “Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.” (Luke 7:14). The son’s life, once lost, is now restored, and so too is restored everything the widow had lost. She can now once more enjoy the blessings of the Abrahamic covenant, her future is secure, her name will be known for generations.

This miracle occurred just on the other side of the mountain where another miracle was performed long ago by Elisha, known as one of the great prophets (2 Kings 4:32-37). He too had raised a widow’s son from the dead. This similarity may have been recognized by the people in Nain, for they say, “…a great prophet is risen up among us.” (Luke 7:16).

Elisha raising the son of the Shunamite by Frederic Leighton

But an even greater similarity is yet to come. For Christ, the only begotten Son, whose mother is also likely a widow, will die and yet live again. Just as the widow’s son’s raising of the dead restored her inheritance, Jesus Christ’s resurrection restores our inheritance. The Savior comes not just to the widows and the orphans, the sick and the lame, and the homeless and the oppressed but to each of us. He comes despite our uncleanliness because of our sins. He says compassionately the same words spoken in the widow’s ear, “Weep not” lifting us up from our despair and sorrow. Through him, we can enjoy all the blessings our Heavenly Father has promised.

Likewise, we can follow the Savior’s example and do the same for others who need our help. Just as Jesus knew precisely when the widow needed him most, we can be in tune with the needs of those around us and rush to their aid. We can serve others not just with kind words, but with action. We can sacrifice comfort, or even reputation, for the safety and healing of others. Sometimes those who need our help are not easily seen from the main road. We too may need to travel off the beaten path to find those who are suffering.

The story of the widow of Nain teaches us a powerful lesson about restoration. The loving Master compassionately restored the widow’s financial security, inheritance, and her name and legacy. Because of our sins, we each have lost our inheritance in the kingdom of God. In our fallen state, we too have a need of restoration—a redemption from our sins. Thankfully, just as the Savior was able to restore all that the widow had lost, the Savior can restore us to our rightful place as heirs of the kingdom. Just as he did for the widow, Jesus is eager to come to us in our moment of greatest despair. Not because we are deserving, but because of his great love for us. All that is asked of us is to accept him, repent, and strive to follow his example.

Script written by Heather Ruth Pack