Mary and Martha live with the dissonance of honest discipleship: they love and trust Jesus, but yet they also can’t resist scolding him: the Master needs to get his act together.
Grief is heavy in the air—Mary and Martha’s brother Lazarus has died, the relatives wail, the tears flow. It’s too much to bear. When the sisters learn that Jesus is finally coming to see them, a surviving shred of faith tumbles out in cries that Jesus could have healed Lazarus (John 11:21, 32)—they think this way about no one else who visits their home. It is an expression of faith, it comes from the heart, and it's true.
But they are wrong to assume that Jesus would have healed their brother if only he had not been so far away or had come sooner (4:46-54; 11:6). Yes, they believe in Jesus, but only to a point. They believe Jesus as long as he makes things go the way they like. Sudden suffering jars these genuine disciples into saying that, in effect, their Lord’s purposes are being hindered—that circumstances have overwhelmed Jesus and he’s blown it. How wrong they are. Jesus’ late arrival to see the family of Lazarus was purposeful and good (11:4, 45).
Mary and Martha illustrate a meaningful yet flawed devotion to Jesus. In this way they speak to me, to you. Our discipleship is riddled with fumbling and false assumptions, with attempts to withhold from Jesus his title of “Lord.” Still, the Master loves these imperfect sisters. Although he corrects them and implicitly rebukes them for their fair-weather faith (11:23, 25-26), he still very much loves them, feels for them (11:35), and lifts them out of their fear meltdown. We too, who are honest enough to see our own reflection in mixed up Martha and Mary, can rest in the arms of a wise and loving Lord—one who truly works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28)!
