Memos from the Middle

Sisters of Faith & Friendship

I picture it happening like this:

“He’s not getting any better,” Mary whispered as Martha’s hands continued to knead the dough.

“Grab that pan for me,” Martha responded, refusing to look into the tear-soaked face of her sister. Mary slid the pan toward Martha before plopping heavily in the only chair in their kitchen. “I think the fire’s ready now, huh? “

“Martha!” Mary snapped. “You aren’t listening to me. Lazarus is getting worse!”

“I know that, Mary!” She said, slamming the dough onto the table. She sighed and wiped the sweat gathering at her temples with her forearm. “I know, Mary,” she returned, more measured this time. “I’m trying to think.”

Martha ambled toward the fire and gripped the poker. Pushing the wood around gave her something to do while her mind searched for answers.

“What about the Teacher?” Mary said, straightening her back with hope. “We know what He can do. We’ve seen it.”

“They’re trying to kill Him, Mary.” Remembering, Mary’s shoulders slumped. “But you’re right,” Martha added, turning toward her sister. “He should know. After all, Jesus loves us.” Martha propped the poker on the wall and removed her apron. “Put that bread on and be sure to watch it, you hear? I’ll be back.”

“Where are you going?”

“To send word to the Teacher that His friend is sick.”

Mary and Martha sent a simple word to Jesus: “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick” (John 11:3). This message holds profound spiritual significance in so few words. First, the sisters acknowledged the rulership of Christ over their lives by calling Him “Lord.” More than the promised Messiah, He was their Master. “Lord” signifies relationship where they subordinated themselves willingly to elevate Him in prominence.

Next, they called for Jesus to draw His attention their way when they requested Him to “behold.” Surely, they knew that He was on mission. They understood that the Jewish elite were out to kill Him. Mary and Martha did not ask that He return. They merely asked Him to look. We know the faith of the woman with the issue of blood who trusted in the healing power of a touch of Jesus’ hem, but here, these sisters asked only for a look. What faith!

Finally, Mary and Martha reminded Jesus of His relationship to Lazarus. “He,” they said, “whom You love is sick.” They could have pleaded for Him to take their pain away. Instead, they point toward their brother, ailing and wasting away, and prompt Jesus to remember His love for Lazarus. If they were more eloquent or had time to write a loquacious letter, perhaps they would have said more, but the severity of Lazarus’ condition warranted only reminder of the love He had for him with an update on his condition.

I love the straightforward nature of the message Mary and Martha send to Jesus. They don’t overcomplicate it with flowery language or spiritual mumbo-jumbo in an attempt to prove their faith. “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.” These sisters do not have what the world will deem as a perfect faith. They do not do what any of us would consider to be grand acts of faith, but they embody the mustard seed faith Christ teaches about. And while their faith did not move a mountain, it did set the stage for a resurrection!

It is fitting, I think, that we end this Women’s History Month series on Biblical sisters with Mary and Martha who were friends of Jesus. When the Savior of the world can call us His friends, what greater accolade could possibly exist?

Father God, in the name of Your precious Son and my Savior, Jesus Christ, I ask that you behold my sisters. Some are sick, Lord. Others are plagued by doubt or fear. But none of that is greater than Your great love for them. Remind them of who You are and how much they matter to You. Look in on Your beloved! Amen!