Introducing Some of Jesus’ Friends: Mary and Martha

 These two sisters are the centerpiece of our passage from Luke 10.  While this is the only “Martha” in the gospels, this “Mary” needs to be distinguished from the others.  In particular, she should not be confused with Mary, the mother of Jesus, or Mary Magdalene. 

Mary and Martha are from Bethany, not Magdala (thus 'Magdalene').  Although this detail is NOT in Luke, but the gospel of  John.  Luke says when Jesus entered a ‘certain’ village, Martha welcomed her into her home.  It would seem that this follows on from the beginning of Luke 10, where the seventy two were sent out to prepare the way of the Lord.

In our passage for Sunday, Mary is the one who sits at the feet of Jesus and Martha is the one who is called to sit at the feet of Jesus.  But this is not the only time we read about them.

Turns out they have a brother, whose name is Lazarus.  In the gospel of John, we read of the death of Lazarus and the powerful miracle of Jesus to bring him back to life.  In John 11, Jesus spends time with each sister, not to forestall their grief by news of the coming miracle, but rather to share with them, to weep with them, to be there for them in this broken time in their lives.

Mary and Martha return to the gospel account in the next chapter in John.  We are coming to the moment of the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the beginning of Holy Week in our celebrations.  In this case, Martha is mentioned as serving the dinner, Lazarus is at the table, but it is Mary who stands out.

It is recorded that Mary anointed Jesus feet, and wiped them clean with her hair.  This event is recorded in other gospels, but it is in John where Mary is identified by name.  She is remembered for this because Jesus tells us she is anointing him for  his coming burial. 

Many other details surround these interactions.  Those details are surely worthy of closer reading and interpretation.  But there are many people who have, for want of a better expression, 'minor roles' in the life and ministry of Jesus.  But their presence should be acknowledged, for even in few verses, their personalities are drawn out and their humanity in the face of the Son of God is laid bare.  In them, we see Jesus as human too, living and loving and learning.  It is a reality that comes across at a different level than from a parable or the interaction with an anonymous crowd.

I treasure these moments in the gospel for the personal connections they offer to our Messiah.

Peace,

pastor pete