Often when we think of Martha the picture that comes to our mind is of a woman who ‘was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made’ when Jesus and his disciples came to their house. Many women identify with Martha – the housewife who receives guests and works in the kitchen.
Her sister Mary, meanwhile, listened to Jesus’ words while sitting at His feet. The text contrasts the two sisters, and the tradition interprets it as an image of opposition between the contemplative life, represented by Mary, and the active life, in the person of Martha. But is this the only Biblical image of Martha? In John’s Gospel Martha is presented as a disciple with a very strong faith.
Manifested Faith: ‘The sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” (Jn. 11:3) Jesus was expected to heed the message, but he came not and their brother Lazarus was in the grave. Later ‘when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (Jn. 11:20-21).
Here we find proof of a genuine faith in Jesus with the hope of His presence to prevent her brother’s death. In her faith God is the great source of supreme & universal power and the intercession of Christ was all prevailing with the power of God. Contradicting the style of the Fourth Gospel, in which Jesus always takes the initiative in beginning a dialogue, this time it is Martha who begins it.
She is presented to us as a person full of life and faith, with initiative and determination, abounding in hope. Strengthened Faith: Faith is strengthened during trials, troubles and disappointments. Even in the midst of trial, Martha’s hope is in Jesus. “But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” (Jn.11:22). In this we see Martha’s faith stretched forward. Christ express Himself directly, “I am the Resurrection,” not “I can raise the death,” “I am the life,” not “I can give life by prayer to God.” Thus, to Martha’s faith, what was distant is now near, what was future is now present, and the resurrection and life are embodied before her in the person of the Lord. Her faith is strengthened.
Triumphant Faith: Jesus reveals to Martha precisely what kind of Messiah He is: the one who give life and new life. “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn. 11:25-26) “Yes, Lord,” she told him, “I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.” (Jn.11:27). Martha accepts Jesus as the Messiah, as the Son of God and as the one coming into the world.
Martha confesses her messianic faith neither as a reaction to a miracle nor as a reaction to any statement about her. Her confession comes as an answer to the revelation and to the challenge that Jesus makes of her faith: “Do you believe this?” The profession of faith is similar to that of Peter – “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” (Mt 16:16, Mk 8:29). This is the high point of revelation and the proclamation of faith. Many times we hear only the story of Mary where she is glorified but Martha is always (brought down).
When we look at her faith there is no difference between the faith of Peter and the faith of a woman who was busy in the kitchen. How do we look at Martha in our present daily life? Martha stands for the many women who are involved in sharing and caring for others. These women sacrifice their lives for the betterment of the community. I’m taking my mother as an example.
Being a wife of a Pastor, a mother of ten children and a schoolteacher, just like Martha she is always busy with all the domestic works. She has to be busy, because she has to entertain the guests, give them something to eat. Make the house clean and tidy so that the guests will feel comfortable. She also has to look after the ten of us. In spite of all these her faith has never been shaken. As a mother and a wife she is the one who always express the hope in strengthening our faith. Martha is concerned about the needs of the community and the guests, a person who is dedicated and faithful, who always acts when necessary and who always radiates confidence and hopefulness. She fits the Gospel’s model of the disciple: she hears the revelation, responds her faith in a powerful profession, and goes off to serve the community. This combination of listening and doing is precisely what ought to characterize the follower of Jesus.
Author: Mr. Joshua Das is a graduate of UTC, Bangalore and heads an NGO ‘Human Development Foundation’ working for the empowerment of gold miner’s family at KGF.
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