[HarleyD]

"It is my opinion that Martha was, simply, the more expressive and gregarious of the (2) sisters ... while Mary was quieter and more contemplative."

That is rather interesting. I've pictured Martha as more of a "take charge" type of person who would always bite off a bit more than she could handle, wanting others to bail her out. I picture Mary as a type of person who was a tad more "lazy" (for lack of a better word), willing to sit back and let Martha do the work. I don't think Martha's criticism necessarily was unjust except under the circumstance.

Jesus had already declared that Mary had chosen the better path ... by sitting at His feet.

I can't argue over this one. If you had the Lord of the universe sitting in your family room imparting His wisdom, would you want to be out in the kitchen popping popcorn? Mary had chosen the better path. I think our Lord statement to Martha is more, "Stop and think about what you're doing."

She [Martha] was coached by Jesus to a more faithful position.

This is an interesting comment. I've never thought about it as coaching as much as Jesus leading her to an affirmation of faith, much like our Lord asking Peter, "Who do you say I am...". Jesus purpose in raising Lazarrus was to help the disciples belief (11:15). I would think that would mean all the disciples including Martha and Mary.

The story of Mary and Martha illustrate for us that realtionship/fellowship with Christ is a christian's highest priority.

Yes, I would agree.

[Quester]

"It is my opinion that Martha was, simply, the more expressive and gregarious of the (2) sisters ... while Mary was quieter and more contemplative."

That is rather interesting. I've pictured Martha as more of a "take charge" type of person who would always bite off a bit more than she could handle, wanting others to bail her out. I picture Mary as a type of person who was a tad more "lazy" (for lack of a better word), willing to sit back and let Martha do the work. I don't think Martha's criticism necessarily was unjust except under the circumstance.

Other than the two events we've discussed, the other time that we see this Mary (of Bethany) in scripture ... is when she bathes Jesus' feet in expensive ointment ...

Jesus defends her action here, as well ...

John 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,

5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?

6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein.

7 Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

8 For the poor always ye have with you; but me ye have not always.

I wouldn’t agree that ’lazy’ is, at all, an apt description for Mary of Bethany.

She [Martha] was coached by Jesus to a more faithful position.

This is an interesting comment. I've never thought about it as coaching as much as Jesus leading her to an affirmation of faith, much like our Lord asking Peter, "Who do you say I am...". Jesus purpose in raising Lazarrus was to help the disciples belief (11:15). I would think that would mean all the disciples including Martha and Mary.

Jesus does a lot of coaching in the scriptures. Peter, among the other disciples, … is a primary example of someone Jesus coaches along … from the scriptures.

Of course, He coaches me, as well ... and you, I suspect.

P.S. I would say that Peter and Martha’s temperaments were, likely, similar … while Mary’s temperament was more similar to that of John, the Apostle.