Martha

by Toms, A. F. | Category: Some Of Peter's Companions | Jun 1986

One of the homes where the Lord Jesus was always welcome was the home at Bethany. That's where Martha and Mary lived, with their brother Lazarus. Martha was probably the eldest, for Luke chapter ten says she received Him into her house. And presumably she received the apostles, too, for they were with Him that day. It must have been quite a houseful. If you had as many to prepare for you might well be excused for feeling some sympathy with Martha for getting anxious. She so much wanted to do her best for her very special Guest. But she became distracted, and the Lord Jesus said something to her that day which has been helpful to many more people than herself. "Martha, Martha, thou art anxious and troubled about many things; but one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41,42).

If Peter was present that day - and I expect he was - maybe years later he remembered the occasion, when he wrote, "casting all your anxiety upon Him; for He careth for you". He cares for you! Martha had charged the Lord Jesus with not caring. That's the very last thing she intended doing. She was so anxious and bothered the words just slipped out. I'm sure she was sorry as soon as she'd said them.

The word "anxiety" is an interesting one. It means to pull in different directions, to distract. That's just what happened to Martha. She felt she was being pulled all ways. Do you sometimes feel like that? The pressures of life build up until you feel absolutely at your wits' end. Then remember Peter's w9rd, "casting all your anxiety upon Him", and for the tremendous reason that follows, "for He careth for you".

An old Scottish preacher used to quote three texts. 1 Peter 2 and 24, "who His own self bare our sins in His body upon the tree". That's my sins away, he'd say. Then this verse in 1 Peter 5, "casting all your anxiety upon Him". And that's my cares away. And then John 14 and 3, "I come again, and will receive you unto Myself". And that's myself away, he'd say, with a smile on his face.

If the Lord cared enough about you to die for you, and if He cares so much about you that He's coming again for you, do you suppose He doesn't care enough to carry your burdens? Of course He does! So let's learn the lesson today, and let it go deep into our hearts "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee" (Ps. 55:22).

Toms, A. F. | Jun 1986
Some Of Peter's Companions