Martha was older than Mary, and more mature spiritually.
In Lk. 10:38 we read of Jesus and His disciples coming to the village of Bethany and “Martha received him into her house.”
Likewise, she was the one taking charge of making preparations for the tired and hungry travelers, while Mary, her sister, sat at Jesus’ feet.
Most Christians presume from this that Mary was the more spiritual one. But Martha was distracted with much serving, she had to do everything herself.
Mary represents the newer, more immature Christian, who is not ready to be “up and serving” the Master.
Martha was rebuked by Jesus, not because she was serving, that was her responsibility as head of the house, but because she was distracted with much serving and burdened with having no help and critical of Mary for not giving her a hand.
Martha’s approach to the Master and her words indicate that she was on intimate terms with Him and evidently had herself sat at His feet much previous to Mary’s coming to that point.
Mary, on the other hand, was no doubt a more recent “convert,” perhaps coming out of a life of deep sin. Therefore, she needed to be at the Master’s feet at that time. Jesus said that she had chosen “that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Lk. 10:42).
We must always find time to “sit at His feet” and learn of Him; but we must also grow and mature to where we can also be “up and serving” like Martha. Both are necessary in our Christian experience.
John 11:20 says that “Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him; but Mary sat still in the house.”
After Martha had met Jesus outside the village, and had conversed with Him for a time, “she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying. The Master comes and calls for you.”