Martha
In Luke 10:38, we read the story of Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is always criticized for having an a-type personality. Martha must have been the older sister of Mary and Lazarus. It has been suggested that she owned the home that they lived in. It is understandable that she would have stressed over her house being ready and having to prepare a large meal for Jesus and His disciples. I mean...can you imagine knowing that Christ was coming to your house! I know many women today who stress over their house more on a regular daily or weekly basis. Give Martha a break. I'm not sure she even had much notice but had just invited Jesus when He came to her village as He was passing through on His journey. Think of the time you spend preparing a Thanksgiving meal - even with weeks to plan and taking time to prep the night before having someone suggest that you sit down during the preparation to join everyone in watching the Thanksgiving parade. ya, right!
I don't think Jesus was criticiaing Martha for her preparations. The problem was that Martha develooped an attitude. It says that she was distracted by al the preparations that had to be made. What distracted her? She was irritated that Mary wasn't helping and wanted Jesus to make Mary help her. Jesus graciously told Martha "You are worried and upset about many thiings". He said she was anxious and troubled about things she didn't need to worry about. She had put too much emphasis on the preparations to the point that she resented her sister Mary who was sitting at the feet of Jesus. This attitude took away from the service she was providing and distracted her from listening.
Now fast forward to John 11 where we learn that Lazarus is sick and the sisters sent word to Jesus letting Him know "the one He loves is sick." Notice that Jesus answered this prayer immediately "This sickness will not end in death"; although, the fullment didn't happen right away. This reminds me of when Daniel prayed and Gabriel came and told him that His prayer had been answered immediaely.
But Jesus waited four days before going to visit the sisters after Lazarus had died. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him. "Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died." True statement don't you agree? Many people interpret this as being confrontational but notice Mary said the very same thing. In her grief, she surely would have been upset. They knew Jeus had been healing everyone else...why wouldn't He come and heal the one He loved. This was a profession of faith...a statement of fact. But I believe, Martha having learned a lesson from the first time she had Jesus over, she let her anxiety and distraction regarding Lazarus's death be momentarily set a side as she then declares "BUT I know that EVEN NOW God will give you whatever you ask." Martha was trusting in Jesus to work all things out (this sounds a little like Romans 8:28). So Jesus enters int a dialog with Martha and lets her know that He IS the resurretion adn the life. This is not about a one-time event. "Do you believe this?" Jesus asks Martha. And Martha is given an altar-call opportunity right in the middle of the road. "Yes, Lord...I believe that You are teh Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world!"
Mary
After Martha makes her good confession, she immediately goes back and takes Mary aside. Now Mary, who made the better choice to sit at Jesus' feet when He came to her house, has stayed behind. She did not choose to go and iniitailly greet Jesus. But Martha tells her that Jesus is asking for her. She got up quickly and went to Him. Jesus was waiting...still at the place where He met Martha. When Mary saw Jesus, she fell at His feet. Many who speak on this passage talk about Mary falling at His feet in worship. I believe this was indeed an act of worship but it was also an act of contrition. The word "fell" is piptó and it means to "fall under" as under condemnation. Jesus was not condeming her but I believe she was convicted by her choices and lack of action. We can all sit at Jesus' feet on a regular basis but do we run to Him when things are not going our way, when we are stuggling, when we are experiencing loss? Or do we, like Mary, choose to just stay at home?
Mary, says "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." Like her sister Martha, Mary is making a right declaration of faith. However, could this have also been "Lord...I wouldn't have responded the way I did if You had just healed my brother like You have healed everyone else." The Scriptures don't really tell us in what tone Martha and Mary made these statements but we do Know how Jesus responded. It says that Jesus was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. The word troubled is 5015 tarássō – properly, put in motion (to agitate back-and-forth, shake to-and-fro); (figuratively) to set in motion what needs to remain still (at ease); to "trouble" ("agitate"), causing inner perplexity (emotional agitation) from getting too stirred up inside ("upset"). Jeus was agitated and perplexed.
Jesus weeps and then asks to immediately go to Lazarus' tomb. Sadly, no one expected Jesus to do a miracle. The Jews follwoing them even asks "Could not hHe who opened the eyes of the blind have kept this man from dying?"
Isn't this our general attitude. We think the only miracle that Jeus can do is "in prevention" but not in "redemption". But He is a redeemer! Redemption is His speacialty.
Even Martha is concerned about the smell. But Martha has been working through her faith. We are called to do the same thing and Jesus gives us grace while we do it.
Jesus response to Martha "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will wee the glory of God?
Was this not an affirmation of her good confession? Then Jesus called Lazaraus out of the tomb. Death, where is thy sting? Not today death. One day, lazarus would die physically again but he wouldn't have to fear death EVER again! Jesus IS the Resurrection and the Life!