This Plan Stinks
I think Martha forgot Jesus just wanted her presence because he already had everything he needed. I don’t think Martha was ignoring Jesus in Luke 10 when he chides her for not doing as her sister and sitting at Jesus’ feet. Martha was obviously more analytical and task-oriented than Mary, though. Having an honored guest like Jesus in her home came with tasks! By the time the story is told, I don’t get the impression Martha understood what she had done incorrectly. That misunderstanding was made obvious when Lazarus, Martha and Mary’s brother passed away in John 11.
Jesus arrived to find that Lazarus had died four days prior. Martha and Mary were busy going about the tasks expected as they mourned Lazarus. At one point Jesus reveals his intent to raise Lazarus from the dead to show the glory of the Father, and what was Martha’s response?
“But Lord! …The smell…?” (John 11:39, paraphrased.)
Martha was so distraught, her mind couldn’t analyze what “God’s glory,” could mean. So she latched on to the one thing she knew to be true: Resurrecting Lazarus may be Jesus’ plan, but it might stink a bit! Would the fear of the smell of death deter Christ from performing a miracle? Absolutely not! Could Martha steady her heart and mind and trust Jesus rather than fixate on the inconvenience of His plan’s possible stench? That was up to her.
Jesus never lost his compassion for Martha. He understood she needed to work at her faith a little harder than some. Still, he kept giving her room at the table to be a part of his plan—even when she didn’t completely understand it. After all, once she got past the horrid thought that maybe the plan would stink, she’d get to wrap her arms around her brother again!
Sometimes it’s hard getting our minds wrapped around the glory in God’s plan—especially when his glory still involves pain. And yet, if we just focus on Jesus, we see what He always wanted us to see in the first place. We actively see that God is Lord over the good and the bad, and he uses both for his glory.