This study is taken from Luke 10:38-42. I had placed Jesus around the sea of Galilee at such locations as Tiberius and Bethsaida. Then came an open area where Jesus fed five thousand people, and about a week later, a mountainous area, possibly Tabor. After coming down from the mountain and healing a boy, Jesus approached the border of Samaria. After sending his disciples to secure a place in one of the Samaritan villages, and being denied access, Jesus was found in the 'way' as he traveled toward Jerusalem.
As he moved forward, he sent seventy volunteers ahead of himself to heal and preach the gospel. Still in the 'way', those volunteers returned with joy to report their successes. Also in the same 'way' and in the company of his disciples and volunteers, among many other followers, Jesus prayed openly before speaking privately with his disciples. It was, then, on the next leg of their journey that they came to stay in the home of Martha and Mary.
Many learned people believe this Mary and Martha to be the sisters of Lazarus, which puts the location at Bethany. Jesus' march toward Jerusalem would have been nearly complete as Bethany was about 1.5 miles east of Jerusalem. In the context of this timeline, the story of Martha and Mary lies between Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the palm-leaf-gathering mission of the seventy volunteers.
We know little about this family. Let us take our clues from the text. The fact that Mary sat at Jesus' feet to hear him speak might suggest the choice of an older sister. A person with seniority might well use said seniority to their own advantage. The complaint of Martha is not unlike that of any adolescent. As a younger sister, Martha would have found herself in the position of having to work her way up along the ladder rungs that prove one through the experience of hard work and learning. Many of us can look at our pasts, within the ranking of our families, and feel a certain kinship with Martha and her complaint.
The fact that Jesus was speaking in his usual manner suggests that there were more people in the house than just the family of Martha and Mary. Martha's “much serving” suggests preparations for such a meal as might be served for many people. I would think that besides Jesus and the family of Martha and Mary at least the disciples were included. A conservative estimate would place between sixteen and twenty people at this event.
The typical home in Jesus' time was somewhat spacious and could easily accommodate a small crowd. The fact that Jesus was speaking and almost all the other people present were listening suggests a length of time suitable to Q&A and making points. Issues discussed in such a context may range from an hour to several hours.
So, what about all the other people who had been traveling with Jesus? I suppose some of the multitudes and some of the seventy were camped around the home of Martha and Mary. I don't think all of them were there; by necessity, some of them would have gone into the town for their needs.
So, Jesus spoke, all plus Mary listened, and Martha was left with all the work. Had Lazarus been a younger sibling and not, as I suspect, an older head of the house, he might well have found himself assisting Martha. Most agree that the relationship Jesus had with Lazarus Mary and Martha was more than mere acquaintance. They were close friends. As I look at their relationship, I must confess that one thing I have never seen is mention of parents. Only the three are ever mentioned – no parents, no wife or children for Lazarus, and obviously no servants since Martha seemed to be doing all the work.
There have been many sermons about that one needful thing that would not be denied Mary; I am not here to preach. The image portrayed in this account does, however, present us with some idea of how included Mary was among a predominantly male following. Indeed, many see Mary as a disciple of equal standing with the twelve.
What was that needful thing, then? As I can speak for none save myself, my opinion is that it is receiving the bread of life. That is, seeking the truth and growing spiritually. Was Jesus so uncaring, then, about Martha's plight – the pain and frustration of a dear friend? Did he care if the people listening to him ate earlier rather than later? Did he so much as tell Martha that she was making a mountain out of a molehill? Or, did Jesus simply invite her to take time out from her worries to sit and refresh her spirit?
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