Mary, Martha, and Lazarus are three siblings from the village of Bethany, located near Jerusalem. They are prominently featured in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels of Luke and John, as close friends and followers of Jesus Christ. Their home served as a place of refuge and fellowship for Jesus during His ministry.

Mary of Bethany

Mary is best known for her acts of devotion and worship towards Jesus. In Luke 10:38-42, Mary is depicted as sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His teaching, while her sister Martha is preoccupied with serving. Jesus commends Mary for choosing "the good part," emphasizing the importance of spiritual nourishment over worldly concerns.

Mary's devotion is further highlighted in John 12:1-8, where she anoints Jesus' feet with expensive perfume and wipes them with her hair. This act of worship occurs shortly before Jesus' crucifixion and is seen as a prophetic preparation for His burial. Jesus defends her actions against criticism, stating, "Leave her alone; she has kept this perfume in preparation for the day of My burial" (John 12:7).

Martha of Bethany

Martha is often remembered for her active service and hospitality. In the account of Luke 10:38-42, Martha is described as "distracted by all the preparations that had to be made" (Luke 10:40). Her concern for serving Jesus and His disciples is genuine, yet Jesus gently reminds her of the need to prioritize spiritual matters.

Martha's faith is powerfully demonstrated in John 11, during the account of her brother Lazarus's death and resurrection. When Jesus arrives in Bethany, Martha expresses her belief in Jesus' power, saying, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give You whatever You ask of Him" (John 11:21-22). Her confession of faith culminates in her declaration, "I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world" (John 11:27).

Lazarus of Bethany

Lazarus is primarily known for the miraculous event of his resurrection, as recorded in John 11. He falls ill and dies, prompting Jesus to travel to Bethany. Despite being dead for four days, Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating His authority over life and death. This miracle serves as a powerful testament to Jesus' divine nature and foreshadows His own resurrection.

The raising of Lazarus leads to increased belief in Jesus among the people, but it also intensifies the opposition from the religious leaders, who plot to kill both Jesus and Lazarus (John 11:45-53; 12:10-11).

Significance

The accounts of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus highlight different aspects of discipleship and faith. Mary exemplifies devotion and worship, Martha represents service and hospitality, and Lazarus's resurrection underscores the power and authority of Jesus Christ. Together, their accounts offer a rich tapestry of faith, love, and the transformative power of Jesus' ministry.