Martha's story
recorded by Gaynor van Dijk
(scroll down for some questions for reflection at the end of the story)
I was at the well drawing some water when I saw them coming.
I saw the dust they were creating first. Then, over the hill, came a group of people walking down the track that led to our vineyard. There was a gentle wind coming from their direction, and it blew the dust in front of them, so I couldn’t see who it was. I ran back to the house and called for Lazarus. He and Mary joined me at the door as we watched them come closer.
We’d been a little wary over the weeks since the Passover. Mary, my sister, had been with Mary Magdalene and the others when they found the empty tomb. She’d come home on that Sunday with the incredible tale that Jesus had risen from the dead, and that she and the others had all seen him. To be honest, we didn’t quite know what to make of it. We were all hurting, and we were concerned that in her grief she was losing her grip on reality. But then, as the other disciples passed through Bethany, they corroborated her story. The joy and hope that was in them was contagious. I wanted to believe them, I knew that so many things were possible with Jesus… but if I’m honest, I was still looking for some other explanation. It just didn’t seem possible.
The authorities obviously didn’t believe it either. We’d had visits from both the temple guards and, on a separate occasion, some Roman soldiers, all demanding to know what we’d done with his body. The Romans knew that Jesus had stayed here before, and they threatened us. They aggressively searched our property, smashing some items in the house and damaging a good number of the vines. Hence the reason we warily peered into the dust, concerned about who might be approaching.
‘They don’t look like Romans.’ Lazarus said as they got closer.
Suddenly, Mary let out a shriek that made me jump, ‘It’s John!’ she shouted, and ran down the road towards the approaching group, Lazarus and I following in her wake.
As I got closer, I could make out John, Peter and all the Eleven, plus about 20 others, including Salome, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and her other sons. I ran to join Mary, and embraced the women, whilst Lazarus spoke with Peter and John.
The evening was coming on, so Lazarus invited them all to stay, and we got busy sorting out food, drink, and places for them all to sleep.
They’d been on the road for several days, and at each stop on their journey their supplies had been replenished, so they already had a lot of what they needed. However, even with Mary Magdalene, Salome and the others helping, it felt like it took forever to get everyone organised. I was itching to find out all that had happened and why they were here. Finally, we could sit down with John, Peter and the others, and fill in the gaps on the snippets of conversation I’d heard whilst I’d been taking care of our guests.
It turned out that Jesus had met with the Eleven on a mountain near Capernaum on Sunday just gone, and he’d told them to come and meet him here at the Mount of Olives this Thursday… tomorrow. My heart skipped a beat, ‘Maybe I would actually get to see him for myself’ I thought, ‘Then I would know for certain.’
Thomas’ laugh, interrupted my thoughts, ‘Hah! It’s felt a little like a child’s treasure hunt… Go to Galilee… now go to this mountain… now go to that mountain.’
‘I’ll tell you something though,’ he continued, ‘I’m as excited as a child too… a child finally old enough to attend the festival of Shavuot!’
Peter explained that initially they hadn’t known when Jesus was going to appear, but then he’d told them to meet him on a mountain near Capernaum.
‘Sending us from that mountain in Galilee to the Mount of Olives, meant passing through many of the places that we’d been with Jesus before.’ Peter said.
Then others chipped in, adding to the story. They’d followed a similar route to the one they’d taken with Jesus when they came south two months ago. Everywhere they went, they kept meeting more and more people that had followed Jesus before.
They’d stayed overnight with some of them, and just about everyone had joined them on their journey. ‘Our numbers have grown as we’ve travelled,’ John said, ‘There’s a crowd of hundreds with us now!’
They explained that some of the crowd had gone on ahead to the Mount of Olives to camp out there for the night, and others were staying with friends or family in Bethany or Bethpage. The Eleven and the others had come to us because they knew they’d find a welcome here, and because our place, with all its barns and other buildings, would be able to accommodate them.
Peter grinned, ‘All the way south, the sense of excitement and expectation has been growing.’ He said, ‘At first, I wasn’t sure people would believe our story… but they did! It’s like they catch our excitement.’
Thomas added, ‘We all think this is finally it. Something amazing will happen tomorrow, and Jesus will show those ruling authorities who’s boss. Jesus said that all authority had been given to him, that can only mean that the chief priests are going to be out on their ear.’
He went on to explain that Jesus wasn’t just the Messiah, but was God himself, come to live with us. He quoted a verse from Isaiah:
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time onwards and for evermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Suddenly, it all made sense... Jesus was cleverly bringing everyone back together for this moment. I understood what they meant about their excitement being catching, I could feel it rising in me… although in the back of my mind, I still had my doubts. Why do it this way? Why not just show his power before he was killed, and bring fire down upon the chief priests and Romans there and then? Why go through all this, and then throw them out now?
But I didn’t have time to think about this, because as night fell, another group of about fifteen people arrived! This one had Cleopas and his wife Mary along with most of Cleopas’ family. Jesus had appeared to them, too, and told them to come here. Somehow, we found space inside, or put up enough shelters outside, for them to stay as well. Torches and campfires were lit, and we sat up talking late into the night. I was hungry for every bit of information I could get. I sought out every story, wanting to find out as much as I could about people’s encounters with Jesus. As each tale was told, I became more and more caught up in the story.
Finally, in the early hours, people started to make their way to whatever bed spaces we’d organised for them. I went to bed, but I couldn’t sleep. ‘Tomorrow.’ I thought, ‘Tomorrow, I will see him again.’ Don’t get me wrong, I wanted the Romans gone just as much as any Jew. But for me, that desire was a long way behind the need I had… the need to know for myself that Jesus was truly back from the dead.
I must have finally fallen asleep because the next thing I remember was Mary shaking me awake. The sky was brightening in the east, and it would soon be morning. We got up and made breakfast, with the help of some of our guests.
People didn’t eat much because they were eager to get going. Then, as we were clearing things away, more people arrived from the village and the surrounding area. There were hundreds of them! Those that had stayed elsewhere the night before had brought along their hosts.
As we set off up the hill, I could hardly contain my excitement. I chatted with Mary as we walked and kept bursting out in girlish giggles. There was a constant buzz of chatter and laughter from the crowd. The air seemed charged with energy like it sometimes does before a storm.
It’s normally about a 20-minute walk from our house to the top of the Mount of Olives, but that morning I think I must have done it in less than 10. I half walked/half ran up the hill, but didn’t feel at all out of breath when I reached the top. Mary and I were among the first to reach the summit and found about another fifty people that had spent the night up there!
I remember looking down over the Kidron Valley and seeing Jerusalem spread out below me. It was beautiful in the early morning light, with the sun rising behind me, the temple towering over the city, and the sunlight glinting off the gold on its walls.
Then… suddenly, Jesus was with us. There was no noise, but all of a sudden, he was there! Right next to me! He smiled and looked at me and around at the crowd, and I felt that deep joy that always seemed to radiate from him.
‘Shalom! Peace be with you.’ He raised his hands in a blessing, and I could see they still carried the wounds he’d received from the nails.
I heard gasps and shouts of joy as people around me started bowing down in worship. I just stood there, unable to move. A smile was frozen on my face as my eyes filled with tears, and my soul rang with praise of God. It was true! He really had come back from the dead.
Belatedly, I thought that maybe I ought to be bowing down too, but before I could move, Jesus spoke again, ‘Friends, please sit and let’s talk.’
His voice carried in the still morning air, and people all around the summit sat down on the ground. ‘I think breakfast might be a good idea.’ he said, ‘Some of you were in a bit of a rush this morning.’ He smiled as he said that and turned to look at me. ‘Martha, I think you may have something.’
I must have been a sight… I was still standing, gazing in awe at him, mouth wide open, blinking back tears, marvelling at every moment I was able to spend in his presence. ‘I am the resurrection, and I am the life.’ he’d said to me, and he was… I could feel the vitality of his life… his presence… it covered the whole mountain!
‘Martha,’ he said again softly, ‘the bread?’ he nodded towards the bag I’d brought. I’d been too excited and in too much of a rush to eat breakfast, so I’d quickly shoved a couple of rolls into a bag.
‘Oh… yes, Lord.’ I mumbled, passing him the bag. I watched as he took the bread, gave thanks, and blessed it as he had done at so many meals. He broke the bread and shared it with those nearest him. It was mesmerising to watch; every time he tore a chunk of the bread, there was more there. He gave some to Thomas, Peter, John, my sister, and myself and said, ‘Make sure everyone gets something.’ We all got up, but he called my name.
‘Martha,’ he said, ‘Martha. Wonderful, faithful and always serving Martha. For you today, only one thing is needed. Please sit… and eat… and share this time with me, for there’s much that I want to say to you and to everyone here.’ So, I just sat there for once and let the others do the serving.
Excitement shone from Jesus’ eyes as he looked around at all the people gathered, ‘The kingdom of God,’ he said, ‘The kingdom of God is so close. It is closer than you can understand or imagine at this time. I tell you that all of heaven sings for joy at all that is about to happen.’
Jesus started talking about the kingdom of God… but I can’t remember exactly what he said. They were familiar words, and I can’t say that I understood them any more after hearing them again at that time. But to be honest, I wasn’t really listening to the words… I was just basking in the sound of his voice.
His voice was like music in my soul… but more than that… the grass, the flowers, the trees, the birds… everything around us seemed to resonate with the sound of his voice! Every living thing seemed more vibrant… more alive. It was true what they said; he had the words of life itself. I stared at him, trying to fix every detail of his face in my mind, following every expression and gesture. I wanted to remember this moment forever.
Then Thomas spoke up, ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘are you at this time going to restore the kingdom of Israel?’
Jesus looked at him and smiled.
Others took up the question, ‘Yes Lord, is it now? Is this the time?’
Jesus smiled again and shook his head. ‘I love you all,’ he said, ‘but you just don’t understand yet. What you are asking for is not for you to know; only the Father knows when these things will happen. But you will come to a place of understanding soon... Soon it will all be clear.
He paused then said, ’Go into Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Father. Wait for the Kingdom of God. Wait for the Holy Spirit. He will clothe you in power from on high, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’
As he said this, he rose to his feet, and we all stood up with him. But he kept rising, floating up into the air! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing… he just went up and up! ‘Wait for the promise of the Father,’ he said again, ‘Just wait, and then you will understand.’
I watched in shock as he rose, until he was hidden by the clouds. We were all standing there, gazing upwards, transfixed on the spot where he’d disappeared. We stood there in awe and silence for… for I don’t know how long. Then suddenly, two men in white appeared beside Peter and John, ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘Why stand looking up into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come again, just as you have seen him go.’ Then they vanished.
That broke the spell, and everyone started talking at once.
Most of the people with us had to return to farms or homes, but a good number headed into Jerusalem, as Jesus had commanded. There were about a hundred of us that met together to wait… and hope… and pray.
Thoughts/questions for reflection:
1. How did this story make you feel?
2. Were there things in the story that jarred, or resonated with you? Why is that?
‘Only one thing is needed.’
In the story, Jesus gets Mary and Martha to reverse the roles we read about in Luke 10:38-42. We all draw close to God in different ways. Some people seem to find it easy to spend hours in contemplative prayer[1], but others find that they can’t sit still for 10 seconds without their mind wandering[2]… however, they might sense God’s presence with them when they are actively serving in some way. There are many ways that people connect with God, but it’s only as we explore and practice these different paths that we become more rounded as disciples of Jesus.
3. When do you feel closest to God? Are there some spiritual practices that you find difficult and leave you cold?
Martha had heard enough people telling her that Jesus had risen from the dead to know that it must be true, but even so, she and many others were desperate to see him for themselves.
4. Do you relate to that feeling? Would it give you a lot more confidence in all you’ve ever learned if the risen Jesus was to appear to you? Or would that just be terrifying?
Jesus said, ‘Wait for the promise of the Father.’
The point of the promise of the Father is that all people could know God even more intimately than those original disciples did. Not as a person separate from themselves, as Jesus was with the disciples, but knowing God personally, knowing the touch of his love.
The prophets in the Old Testament had foretold a day when God would make things right with Israel and the world, a day when he would pour out his Spirit on all people – for example:
Joel 2:28-29
Then afterwards
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female slaves,
in those days, I will pour out my spirit.Ezekiel 11:19-20
I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow my statutes and keep my ordinances and obey them. Then they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
All people, men and women, slaves and free, young and old… all people can know God for themselves. That is the promise of the Father.
We’ll read about how that happens in the next Chapter… as the disciples had to wait, so will you.
Waiting can be so hard. I don’t know what you are waiting for or longing for…
As you meet with the risen Jesus in this Easter season. As he smiles at you and invites you to sit and eat with him, share with him what you long for, share your hopes and fears. As he looks you in the eye as he listens to you… know that you have been heard
And perhaps hear his words for you –
‘Wait for the promise of the Father. YOU will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you’
A prayer to finish:
Loving Father,
Promise keeper and gift giver
Thank you, Lord, that you are faithful, patient, and compassionate
As we wait, help us to be ready to receive all that you want to give us
Help us to know more fully the grace and truth and peace and strength and love of the Holy Spirit
That we would know the truth of the risen Jesus in our lives.
Amen
Ignatian imaginative contemplation on this passage
As before, the background and the story provide a window to help look at the passage imaginatively for yourself. If you want to go deeper:
Ask God to speak to you through the passage
Slowly read the Bible passage again
Visualise yourself as one of the characters, or as an observer. You might work through the whole passage, or just sit with a certain scene within it.
Pay attention to the details of the scene; what do you see, hear and smell?
Notice what you feel as you immerse yourself in the passage?Again, ask God what he wants you to take away from this.
You might like to note any thoughts or feelings in a journal before moving on to the next chapter.
[1] Appearances can be deceptive, as natural as it may seem, people like this will have practised a lot to develop the ability to spend extended periods in prayer and contemplation.
[2] I am certainly one of those whose mind readily wanders to my next meeting, an unresolved conflict, what I’m going to cook for dinner that night, the need to tidy my study, that email I must send, and so many more. However, journaling (writing my thoughts and prayers down as I go) helps keep me in the moment. Despite my activist tendencies, this makes the times I set aside to be still with God far richer.
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