PATIENCE 1

Most Christians are familiar with Jesus’ visit to Mary and Martha in Luke 10. Many are not aware of another visit to these same women (John 11:20-28). This visit was under very different circumstances. This visit was occasioned by the death of their brother Lazarus. Here we meet Martha again but this time a very different Martha. On this visit she models the very essence of the fruit of the Spirit called patience.

The story begins with Lazarus dying. An urgent message is sent to Jesus to come and heal his friend. Strangely he waited two more days before going to his friends. By the time he arrives, Lazarus has been in his tomb for four days. It is too late. Yet the sisters waited for Jesus. When he arrives, Martha is the one who goes out to meet him. This is where we see the Spirit shine in Martha’s life.

John tells us, “When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him.” What a different picture we see of Martha from Luke 10. Here she goes out to meet Jesus, not clean the house, serve a meal, or fuss over all the preparations. She goes to sit at Jesus’ feet as Mary had done earlier. She goes to engage him about her brother’s death. She goes to see him and he alone is the focus of her attention.

Patience is often portrayed as sitting and waiting. Patience is much more active than that. When we are engaged by circumstances that challenge our patience, the first step is not to simply sit and wait. The first step is to bring our hurt and concern to Jesus. He is the one to give our problems proper perspective. He is the one who can solve them. He is the one to whom we need to give our undivided attention. Patience begins by study of the Word and struggling with that Word in prayer and reflection. There the Spirit draws us. There is where Jesus meets us.