Becky Crenshaw

But the Lord said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details…” Luke 10:41

Just sit for another moment and read Jesus’ response to Martha.

Don’t miss this moment.

Jesus has yet to address anyone directly in the home. I assume he came in, continuing the teaching from outside, sitting down in a chair. Maybe he rested his hand on Mary’s head as He spoke.

But this moment, was reserved for Martha.

“Martha, Martha.”

He could have said ANYTHING.

But. He began with her name.

I think of the lamenting I have poured out to the Lord over the years. Tears of loss, frustrations of daily life, fears of the future, requests for my children, healing prayers for health, disappointments in people, impatience with unanswered prayers….

And I love to imagine that he responds with my name.

Martha was on His agenda for the day. Sure it may read that He and the disciples were happenstancely stopping on their way to a different destination, but I believe this moment was His destination. He had been thinking of Martha. Her name was top of mind.

I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Isaiah 49:16

I love to imagine Jesus walking up to her house, glancing down at His hands and thinking… MARTHA. This is where my Martha lives.

He has your name on his hands, too.

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine’” (Isaiah 43:1).

He created you. He formed you. He has redeemed you.

He calls you by YOUR NAME.

You are His.

This sweet moment isn’t to be missed. “Martha, Martha.”

She heard the Light of the World speak her name.

Twice.

And friends, one day, you will hear Him speaks yours, as well.

Take this image into your prayer time today. Approach the throne of grace with confidence, pour out your heart like water before Him. Then, close your eyes and imagine His response. Hear it with your heart.

Your name. Twice.

Choosing What Is Better:

• Take a few moments and write out a list of prayer requests. Approach Him with confidence with any and all requests. Then sit quietly and listen. Imagine.
• Have you been called ugly names before? Names are powerful because they hold an identity. Go back to those memories and layer this Truth over that place of pain…. “I have called you by your name” (Isaiah 45:4). Jesus knowing and speaking your name is a greater and more powerful truth than any false name someone tried to label you. He loves your name. You are His.
• Today, be mindful to learn someones name and speak it out. Names are important to the Lord. Let them be of more mindful importance to us, as well.