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Messianic expectation was running high at the time of Jesus’ birth, scripture recording the enthusiasm John the Baptist’s ministry inspired in anticipation of the Anointed One’s unveiling. (Luke 3:15) It is remarkable then that so few people in Israel actually recognized their Messiah when he finally did appear, their eyes blinded by their own expectations of who he would be and how he should behave.

The problem was they were looking for an eloquent politician and mighty military leader, not a carpenter from a peasant family. They anticipated fanfare and pageantry; he was born in a stable and walked the streets with common people. Those who did recognize Jesus, particularly at his birth and shortly thereafter, were humble and unremarkable, except for their openness to the Spirit’s leading. For instance, mention is made of Anna in only three verses (Luke 2:36-38), but what they reveal is significant.

Luke introduces her as a prophetess, her Hebrew name similar to Hannah’s, meaning grace; their characters strikingly similar as well. Both were diligent in fasting and prayer, regularly attending tabernacle/temple worship in anticipation of the coming Messiah; Anna’s identification as a prophetess coming from her diligence in proclaiming God’s word. Having been widowed at a very young age she dedicated her remaining years to service in the temple; her role, at least in part, probably being to minister to other women who came to the temple, encouraging and instructing them in the Hebrew scripture with emphasis on the coming Messiah. (Only three other women are referred to as prophetesses in scripture. Miriam in Exodus 15:20; Deborah in Judges 4:4; and Huldah in 2 Kings 22:14.)

Luke reports that she never left the temple, whether that meant she literally lived in the temple precincts or spent all her time there is immaterial. The point is that her heart and mind were centered on God as she prayed for the consolation of Israel; which she had done now for some 60 years. On this particular day, she was in her usual place and overheard Simeon’s pronouncement of the eight day old Jesus as the long awaited Messiah. (Luke 2:21-38) She then spoke of him to any and all who would listen, becoming one of the very first witnesses to the Christ.

Scripture consistently presents Martha and Mary together, living with their brother Lazarus in the small village of Bethany. Their house was convenient for frequent visits from Jesus and his disciples as it lay just two miles or so from Jerusalem; their hospitality creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere – a refuge from the demands of the crowd and the hostility of Jesus’ adversaries.

Martha and Mary were significantly different in a number of ways but alike in a vital one; they both loved Jesus – Jesus expressing the same for them and their brother. (John 11:5) No mention of marriage is made of any of the three nor is any hint given as to their ages. A certain chronology can be inferred however from the usual listing of the three; Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Martha is particularly noted for being a meticulous hostess, the family residence referred to as Martha’s home. (Luke 10:38)

Martha and Mary are first mentioned by way of a conflict recorded in Luke 10, a result of clashing temperaments, while John 11 relates their brother’s illness, death and resurrection in detail; noting the sisters’ confusion and frustration at Jesus’ apparent lack of urgency in responding to their call for help. Their subsequent shock and joy at their brother’s resurrection, after four days in the grave, was cause for much wonder as well as being the final act pushing Jesus’ enemies to seek a way to silence him. Finally, Mary is depicted in John 12:1-3 as duplicating an earlier anointing Jesus had received at the hands of a woman described merely as a “sinner” in Luke 7:36-50; whose sin was pardoned because of her obvious remorse and gracious service to Him. (Martha was there as well, typically serving as hostess for Jesus and his disciples, even though this gathering was at a friend’s house. See Mark 14:3)

The most telling incident involving these two women involved Jesus and his disciples accepting an invitation from Martha to eat and relax at her house as they passed through town. Being a conscientious hostess, she wanted everything to go well and everyone to be pleased. Jesus and his companions made themselves comfortable and likely began discussing recent events and pertinent teachings. Mary instinctively sat down to listen while Martha studiously worked to make the evening a success. Finally growing tired of doing all the work and evidently being overlooked by everyone else, she took her complaint directly to Jesus, asking his help in getting Mary to assist her. To her surprise, she received a gentle rebuke instead while Mary was encouraged to stay right where she was!

Martha’s complaint revealed how subtly human pride can corrupt even the best intentions; the moment she allowed something other than Christ to become her focus of attention, her perspective changed to self-centeredness – spawning resentment, jealousy, and criticism. (Luke 10:40) In contrast, Mary was so focused on Jesus that she was oblivious to everything else. That’s not to say she would never be encouraged to assume a servant’s role when the occasion called for it, but at this particular moment, listening to him was the very best use of her time and energy. A humble heart and undivided attention seen on this occasion as a greater gift than Martha’s well-set table.

Many sympathize with Martha, casting a wary eye at Mary’s leisurely position close to Christ; Martha’s hurt feelings somewhat understandable. But the over-arching message here is that a devoted heart and focused attention should at times have a higher priority than even service-oriented tasks. As work motivated by sound doctrine and real worship will always be timely, heartfelt and well-received, being vital expressions of our faith and evidence of our faithfulness precisely because of what we believe. However, even good deeds elevated over sound doctrine and true worship can lead to harm.

Anna, Martha and Mary remind us that God blesses and uses all kinds of people, that there is a reason for our differences and that rather than driving us apart, those differences can complement and unite us into a well-functioning whole. Each had a lot to offer and taken together, they give us an example of the diversity and unity possible among all believers.

"Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life" from Tom Kelley

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