Women of the New Testamentનમૂનો

Day 2
Mary and Martha of Bethany

Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.
– Luke 10:39 (NLT)

“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”
- John 11:27 (NLT)

Today, we’re going to look at another woman named Mary in the New Testament, along with her sister, Martha. Mary and Martha also had a brother named Lazarus. They were all friends of Jesus, and He would often visit them at their home in the small town of Bethany.

One time, Jesus was teaching at Mary, Martha, and Lazarus’ home in Bethany. Jesus was an excellent teacher and had a lot to tell people about God. Mary was sitting and listening to Jesus teach while her sister Martha was cooking a meal for everyone. Martha got frustrated that Mary wasn’t helping and said something to Jesus about it. Jesus told her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41b-42)

Mary was focused on listening to Jesus. While Martha wasn’t doing anything wrong by preparing the food, Jesus wanted her to understand that she didn’t need to get in the way of Mary spending time learning from Him. That was even more important than making sure everything was perfect for the meal. Jesus encouraging Mary to sit and listen to him is especially significant because, at this time, women were not allowed to be students of Jewish teachers like Jesus. But Jesus wanted everyone, including women, to be His disciples and learn from Him.

We don’t know what Martha’s response was when Jesus told her that Mary should stay and listen to Him teach, but in another story, we find out that Mary isn’t the only sister who has been learning from Jesus.

The Bible tells us that Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus got really sick. They sent a message to Jesus to let Him know. By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had died. Both of his sisters were very upset. When Martha heard Jesus was almost there, she ran out to see Him. Martha told Jesus, “If only you had been here, my brother would not have died.” (John 11:21)

Martha knew Jesus could have healed her brother. When she said this, she showed how close she was to Jesus and how much she believed in His power. Mary would say the same thing to Jesus when she saw Him later. But neither sister understood that Jesus was about to show that He was so powerful that He could go far beyond just healing someone. Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?” (John 11:25-26)

Martha said, “Yes, Lord . . . I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.” (John 11:27)

Martha said Jesus was the savior and the Son of God. This was a huge statement! Then, Jesus did something amazing. He showed the sisters that He really did have power over death. He told Lazarus to come out of his tomb, and guess what happened! Lazarus walked out, alive and well!

Another time, Jesus was visiting the family in Bethany again. His closest followers were with Him. Martha was serving the meal again, and Lazarus was eating with Jesus. Their sister Mary came in with a jar full of expensive perfume. It was probably very precious to her.

What Mary did next sounds a little strange to us. Mary poured the perfume onto Jesus’ feet, then she leaned down and wiped it off with her hair. The whole house smelled like perfume. Why would Mary do this? She did it to worship Jesus. She did it to show Him how much she admired Him and how grateful she was for what He had done for her family. Jesus was Mary’s friend and teacher, but she also knew He was so much more than that. He was special. He was the Son of God.

Reflect: How would I describe my relationship with Jesus? Do I feel close enough to call Him my friend? Do I recognize His power enough to really understand that He is the Son of God?

Read: Luke 10:38-42; John 11:17-45; John 12:1-8