Martha's story (Luke 10:38-42)

 I loved Jesus.  I loved him from the minute I set eyes on him.  He wasnt handsome in the conventional sense, but his eyes always had a twinkle, he had a great laugh, he was so kind and he noticed things that other people didnt notice.   He never walked past someone in the street who really needed a touch or a word.  He treated women so very differently from most men I knew - with respect and honour.  His teaching of the scriptures was amazing.  I just loved everything about him.

I first met him the day he came to our house.   I had been living in Bethany with my brother and sister for most of my life.  Our parents had died several years before leaving us the house and the farm.  Lazarus was very good with the livestock and really enjoyed the outdoor life.  Mary was a brilliant seamstress and made all of our clothes as well as mending and making for the village.  And I kept house and also cared for an elderly nieghbour who had no family living close by.  None of us were married.  Mary had been betrothed when she was younger but her fiance had cheated on her two weeks before her wedding and had broken her heart.  She was released from her promise to him but had vowed never to marry after that.   Lazarus was too busy to be interested in girls, and as we had no parents to offer a dowry or negotiate any meetings I woke up one day to find that I was really past the age of getting married - which I didnt really mind because I was happy at home with my family.

Jesus had been preaching and teaching in the towns around Judea.  We had heard the stories of the miracles and had heard that he was travelling in our direction.  Lazarus, amazingly, decided to take a couple of hours off on the day that Jesus had arrived in Bethany.  He headed into town and promised us that he would find out where and when he would be teaching next so that we could all go and hear him.  I suppose we just assumed that it would be the next day or on the sabbath that we would get to hear him speak.   I almost died of shock when I saw Lazarus coming up the lane towards our house with the Rabbi and about ten other men in tow.

As I saw them approaching I began to panic as I realised that we probably didnt have enough food or wine in the house to cater for so many people.  The place was a mess,  there was washing hanging all over the place.  The table was covered in herbs which I had been in the middle of drying out ready for the winter.  Mary had her sewing things all over the chairs and benches  and there were three chickens pecking around the hearth in the kitchen.  I shouted at Mary that Lazarus was bringing guests and started madly tidying up.   I reckoned I had about six minutes before they would be at the gate.   Mary started to clear away her sewing things, I scooted the hens out into the yard and swept all the herbs into a large bowl which I put behind the bedroom door.   I quickly grabbed as much of the washing as I could and put it in a basket which I set outside in the yard.  It had stopped raining so it would dry just as well out there.  And hopefully the guests wouldnt stay long and wouldnt want to explore the house!

Lazarus and the visitors arrived just as I had picked the last wet apron off the back of the chair.  I must have looked a sight because I was all hot and bothered and smelling of soap and herbs.  Lazarus looked like the cat who had got the cream.  He introduced Mary and me to Jesus and Jesus in turn intorduced us to his friends.   I welcomed them all to our home and asked them to make themselves comfortable.   We didnt have enough chairs but most of them seemed to be happy enough to sit on the floor.  I didnt get the chance to ask Lazarus how it was that he had come to invite the teacher to our home - I was too busy trying to remember who wanted wine, who wanted beer and who wanted spiced mead.  I was flustered and a bit embarassed that I didnt have anything to offer them to eat except some bread and fruit.  They all seemed happy enough with that.  But I would have liked to have had a bit of notice that they were coming so I could have been prepared.

Whilst I was sorting out the drinks and the food Jesus was telling some stories about things that had happened on his recent journeys.  He had everyone laughing and chattering and I could hear Lazarus asking questions about miracles and the like.  I really wanted to be listening too but I had a dozen drinks to sort out.  I looked round for Mary to ask her if she could fetch the big pitcher from the other room.  But she was sitting on the floor at Jesus's feet staring up at him like a love lorn puppy.   This was completely out of order and I was surprised that neither Lazarus or Jesus hadn't reprimanded her for being so blatant.  Women were not supposed to discourse with men, let alone with eminent Rabbis.  Women were supposed to serve the men and, if given permission, listen at a respectful distance.   We most certainly weren't supposed to ask questions or make comment.  Mary was joining in the conversation as if she were a man!   Meanwhile I was struggling to get everyones food and drinks organised.  I was cross.  I was stressed.  I handed round half of the drinks and went back into the other room to get the rest.   As I passed Mary I gave her a slight kick in the hope I might alert her to the fact that I needed a hand.   She didnt pay any attention   

I came back with more drinks and glared at Mary who ignored me.  Then I went back out to get the food.  I couldn't really hear what Jesus was saying when I was out of the room.   I put the bread and fruit on a couple of platters and brought them in and set them down on the floor in front of Jesus and his friends.   Lazarus caught hold of my arm and muttered that it would be good if we could have another flask of wine ready in case anyone wanted a top up.   All I wanted to do was sit down and listen to Jesus.  I mean its not every day you have a renowned Rabbi come to your house.  Especially not one who has allegedly made blind people see and lame people walk.  But I went off to find more wine and set it down in front of Lazarus who was so intent on talking to Jesus that he didnt even acknowledge it. 

As I was about to go to the back of the room and finally sit down so that I could listen to whatever Jesus was saying the Rabbi looked at me and said '  Martha, is everything alright?'
I blushed.  It was not usual for a man to ask a woman a personal question - especially not in mixed company.   But he seemed genuinely interested in how I was. So I plucked up the courage to answer him and said '  I'm fine thank you, I just must apologise for my sister - she should have been serving you all, not joining in the discussion and behaving so inappropriately.  I do hope you are not offended.  Perhaps you could ask her to give me a hand with the food?  '
Jesus smiled at me.  He has such a lovely smile.  His eyes light up when he smiles.  I melted a bit when he spoke my name ' Martha, my dear Martha - you stress too much.   There is a time for eating and drinking and there is a time for listening and learning.  Mary has opted to do the latter and she has made a wise choice.  Why dont you come and sit here and join us?  Dont worry about serving us all - we are fine.  Come and sit with your sister and have some of this fine wine and this bread'   And as he spoke he broke some bread and handed it to me and poured me a cup of wine. 

Jesus has become a really close friend to Lazarus and has visited our home several times since that first time.  Every time I see him I love him more.  He is an amazing man.  I think he finds some refuge from the world in our home.  He often comes by himself, sometimes stays for a couple of days, sometimes just for a meal.  He is always tired.  He always has stories to tell about what God has been doing.  He always prays for us and we are so blessed to know him.   I am learning that when he comes to our home I dont have to rush about ' doing things' for him.  What he enjoys is just spending time with us in a relaxed, comfortable and easy way, laughing and eating and talking together.  Sometimes the four of us just sit in silence round the fire.  Sometimes he helps Lazarus with the livestock or chops wood for us or mends things that need fixing ( he is a very skilled carpenter by trade)  We all love having him around.  Its always sad when he has to go, but he has Gods work to do and places to preach and teach.

The other day, after Jesus had been with us for the evening, Lazarus turned to me and said ' You know, I believe that in Jesus I have made a lifelong friend.  I cant imagine ever losing touch with him now.  I know that if I was ever in need he would come. If any of us were.  He is God's gift to us. I shall be thankful for this friendship until the day I die'

I smiled.  I love that Lazarus loves Jesus so much, but until death is a long time away and who knows what might happen along the way.  I am happy that we know him now. He is teaching me to be a better person.