We meet Martha three times in the Gospels. On the first occasion she received the Lord Jesus and His disciples into her house—a catering challenge. Evidently, she cherished Him and His ministry, and wanted to make a home for Him who had “not where He may lay His head” (Lk. 9:58). But as many of us have discovered, service can eclipse the Lord if we are not careful. This is what happened here: Martha became so preoccupied with all the things she had to do that she lost sight of Him (perhaps literally too), and Mary was sitting at His feet listening to Him—not helping her! Eventually it was too much, and she intruded with her accusations and demand. In doing so, she disturbed the very things she wanted Him to enjoy in her house: peace and communion. While He did not comply with her demand, His firm but gentle reproof (v. 41) would have not only reached her conscience but drawn from her heart a willing readiness to judge her thoughts, words, and conduct.

We do not see the full results of this when He came to Bethany to raise Lazarus (Jn. 11:1–44), but we do see them on the last occasion He visited the home there. Very soon He would go to the cross as the true Passover Lamb (12:1), but for the time being He found solace in the company of His own, despite the machinations of His enemies (11:45–57).

Surely this conveys somewhat of the joy He gets today when His people are gathered together to His name in assembly. We often focus on Mary’s beautiful act of worship (12:3), but what of fellowship—“Lazarus was one of those at table with Him”—and quiet unassuming service—“Martha served”? Both are features that should characterize us at such times. The Lord Jesus Himself continues to serve, and we should too, in the happy and contented way (2 Chr. 9:7) that marked Martha that day.