Have you met Martha?
She’s the multi-tasking, kind, organized and generous friend you can count on.
Sometimes she gets agitated when life doesn’t go as planned but she’s always happy to help, sharing her time, talents and skills when needed.
One day Christ comes for dinner with her and her sister Mary and she “welcomed Him in her home.”
Martha loves Mary but they’re complete opposites and honestly sometimes Mary drives Martha crazy. Sisters.
Mary. The easy going free spirit who flows with life, loves her friends and family and refuses to live by the expectations of others.
Christ walks in and Martha watches Mary follow Him into the den and plop down on the sofa to visit. Martha’s livid.
But is her anger really about Mary’s actions or something more? Then the truth comes out.
Martha asks “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” Luke 10:38-42
Martha’s frustrated with Mary but also with Jesus. Doesn’t He care? Why isn’t He intervening, standing up for her, defending her?
Will this be the last time Martha wonders if Christ cares about her?
Later, her brother Lazarus gets sick so she summons Christ to come heal him. He doesn’t. Her brother dies.
When Jesus does show up she tells Him “Lord if You’d been here my brother would not have died.”
She knows He could have healed him and still can. “Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.” John 11:22
Her faith isn’t faltering. She’s confident in Christ’s ability but questions His timing.
She asked Him to come immediately. He showed up two days later. Two days too late, according to her schedule.
When Lazarus needed healing, the Healer was nowhere to be found. When Martha needed His help He wasn’t there.
She was hurt, confused. Did Christ even love her? “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.” John 11:5
Have you ever felt like Martha? I have. A lot.
When your marriage, finances, health, job or relationships are falling apart, do you wonder if Christ’s sees or even cares. I love the Amplified Bible’s answer.
“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, worries, and concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. I Pet 5:7
When you’re in the fight of your life, alone or afraid, it’s tempting to believe the One who promises to never leave you has bailed on you. He hasn’t and He won’t.
I don’t judge Martha for questioning Christ’s love for her. I’ve done it too.
Especially when He doesn’t fix a problem right away or show up on my schedule. In those moments I can question His compassion or I can trust His timing.
Choosing to cast instead of question keeps us calm instead of “worried and bothered” like Martha.
Christ’s delay doesn’t mean He doesn’t care. His timing is perfect and precise. He “makes everything beautiful in its time.” Ecc 3:11.
He sees you. You matter to Him. He cares.
Sandra Hubbard
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