Fears and Tears

I have been drawn this week into scripture with Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Martha is the woman that stands out to me as I read the living word. As I offer my quiet time to Lectio Divina and pray for the Holy Spirit to come, the verses speak to my soul. They reveal a different truth each time, a truth about myself and a deeper look into my own heart.

Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

The first time I meet Martha, she is filled with much anxiety while she is serving. She has lost focus on the Lord and has turned it towards Mary, her sister. The Lord, with great love, looks at her and speaks to her heart, revealing to her the better choice. The choice to keep her focus on Him and on others, to show love. That is her special gift, to serve with love and with the heart of Jesus, to care for the needs of others; just as Mary is to sit at the foot of Jesus to serve the Lord and the needs of others in that way. What a beautiful revelation for my heart, to keep my eyes on Jesus and not to let the anxiety overcome me as to get pulled away from the Lord.

I am then brought deeper into Martha’s life through scripture as she and her sister Mary send word to Jesus that their brother is sick and close to death. They send out a plea to Him to come, a call to the One who knows them and can heal their brother, the One that knows the desire of their hearts. Jesus hears their prayers and petitions, He receives the message they sent and He waits. He waits for the Father’s time. For the Father’s glory, He waits. When the time is right, He returns to the sisters, Martha runs out to greet Him and with anguish and pain in her heart, she pours out her sorrow to the Lord. The Lord looks at her and speaks the words that penetrate, Do you believe? Martha proclaims her fiat, her yes, with complete abandonment she surrenders all to Him in great faith.

Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive. Matthew 21:22

She listens to the Lord and brings her sister to Him. Together they witness a great miracle: their brother, whom they love, is raised by the voice of God. They are called to participate in this with their surrounding community by unbinding the burial clothes of their brother that no longer bind him in death, he is free. Their petition is answered, the Lord felt their pain and wept, and He brought to life what was dead.

I am brought even deeper into scripture as Martha is again serving with great love as her sister is pouring out all upon Jesus as she anoints Him with precious oil and the fragrance fills the room. Martha chose the better part. She loved and focused her whole self on the Lord, not being pulled into the contradiction of Judas. She served the Lord with great love.

Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Romans 12:9-12