A Life of Sacrifice and LoveMartha was never meant to be the head of her household, but a plague left her as the main caretaker for her piecemeal family. She is too busy juggling responsibilities to worry about her siblings’ expectations that Yeshua of Nazareth is Messiah.Then she meets Yeshua face to face. A single look from him and Martha’s heart knows that he is Israel’s Messiah. But undone … is Israel’s Messiah. But undone work awaits, and Martha ignores the guilt of placing her worldly obligations before G-d—until Lazarus lies gravely ill.
The Lord’s Anointed arrives too late to save Lazarus but asks Martha to place her faith in him. She believes he’s the One but is still amazed when he calls Lazarus from the dead, proving to all he is Messiah.
Still, many don’t believe, and word of Yeshua’s miracle ultimately leads to his crucifixion. Martha’s family is shattered once more by a beloved’s death. Will faith allow her to set aside the weight of responsibility without stopping her loving service for others?
more
Excellent! This outstanding Christian author tells the bible stories in such a way that they come to life. Makes the biblical happenings easy to understand and relate to as she uses her imagination to translate the facts into stories she tells
I enjoyed this beautifully written book about Martha, Mary and Lazarus. Jesus met each of the siblings’ needs in unique ways. Martha was given understanding, Mary was given a chance to worship and Lazarus was given a life like he had not had before. I loved the way the book brought Jesus’ own brother into the story! But I won’t give away the surprise.
We as women often serve dual roles as Martha and Mary, and this book warmed my heart.
I received a copy of this book from the author and my review is voluntary. I loved this book!
This story of Martha, and by association with her, Mary and Lazarus I found particularly interesting as I have always found their story in the Bible of interest anyway, so I leaped at the opportunity to see what this book was all about- and was pleased to find it was a well-written, well-researched expansion of the bits of detail about them in the Bible. The author makes clear it is fictionalized, and also not preaching, but it does provide at lot of room for thought about the people and their lives, and I found it an enjoyable read which definitely held my interest. I am the Martha type myself- and somebody needs to get the work done. Listening to the teacher is of great importance, but since I have generally found that it is possible to listen and do simple tasks at the same time, I’d probably have been a bit annoyed with Mary also. I had never read a book by this author before. I will have to look into some of the others now, I think- perhaps An Adoring Spirit and A Pondering Heart will be equally good.
I love this novel written from the point of view of Martha. Her relationship with Lazarus and her sister Mary. It gives some insight into her personality and drive and what events helped to make her who she was. I could relate to her and feel her insecurities and strength.
I received an advanced copy. My opinion is my own
A Laboring Hand: Reflections: Book 2
By Sharon Hughson
I like the way the author showed us Martha. She is a person who gets things done. She doesn’t shy away from work and feels like others should be as she is. It is because she has let others down in the past, she will not let it happen age.
Martha is a woman who has had to face being the head of her family, when it isn’t a role given to the women of their time. She shoulders so many responsibilities that she did not know how to just be. She did not feel even worthy of having a spouse.
Mary was a free spirit, not worried about daily living and Lazarus has just been coddled and has learned to accept that is how his life will be.
I really like that it shows us another side to the characters from the Bible. The what if’s. I find that it helped me to understand this part of the Bible better by reading a different outlook on the sisters Mary and Martha as well as Lazarus.
The story is very well written and very easy to see all points of view. I highly recommend this book and have given it a high review. It is definitely about a “Sister to Servant: A Life of Sacrifice and Love”.
5 things from A Laboring Hand
1) a look at Jesus’s life through the eyes of Martha of Bethany
2) when you’ve carried the load of head of the house so long it’s good when your brother takes over his rightful place… right?
3) serving can also be an act of worship
4) mourning turned into joy and surrender
5) the work of God can change a seemingly unchangeable heart
Such a delightful biblical novelization! As a worker by nature, I was challenged by Martha’s situation and her desire to submit to the Lord.
Ms Hughson always has excellent characters and story line!
.
.
.
.I received an advanced copy in exchange for my review. My opinion is my own
Have you ever wanted to step into the Holy Land at the time of Christ.
I LOVE how she brings this story to live. Our times are so different that it is hard to understand the culture & mindset of a different time. I felt this story was well researched, & well written story bringing life to family that we have heard of but maybe not known enough about.
I received an early release copy of this book from the author but chose to give others my opinion of it.