Observe how different the characters and personalities of
true Christians may be. The two sisters of whom we read in
this passage were faithful disciples. Both had
believed. Both had been converted. Both had honored Christ
when few gave Him honor. Both loved Jesus, and Jesus loved
both of them. Yet they were evidently women of very different
character.
Martha was active, stirring, and impulsive, feeling
strongly, and speaking out all she felt.
Mary was quiet, still, and contemplative, feeling
deeply, but saying less than she felt.
Martha, when Jesus came to her house, rejoiced to see
Him, and busied herself with preparing a
suitable refreshment.
Mary, also, rejoiced to see Him, but her first thought
was to sit at His
feet and hear His word.
Grace reigned in both hearts, but each showed the effects of
grace in different ways.
We shall find it very useful to ourselves to remember this
lesson. We must not expect all believers in Christ
to be exactly like one another. We must not set down others
as having no grace, because their experience
does not entirely tally with our own.
The sheep in the Lord's flock have each their own
peculiarities.
The trees in the Lord's garden are not all precisely
alike.
All true servants of God agree in the principal things of
religion. All are led by one Spirit.
All feel their sins, and all trust in Christ.
All repent, all believe, and all are holy.
But in minor matters, they often differ widely.
Let no one despise another on this account.
There will be Martha's and there will be
Mary's in the Church, until the Lord comes again.
