We are going to place these two sisters together because the Bible says “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus” (John 11:5).Martha seemed to have been an anxious and high spirited woman who wanted to be helpful in providing food and comfort for Jesus; while Mary was more concerned with sitting at his feet and learning of him. When Martha complained about Mary not helping, Jesus did not correct her; instead, he said that Mary had chosen the right place at the time. “Only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her” (v. 42).

In that incident, Mary set a better example than Martha did. On a later visit of Jesus to Bethany, it was Martha who was taught by Jesus while Mary sat in the house. Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me. Though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe me” (John 11:20)? Martha gave a superb confession saying, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world’ (John 11:27).