Jesus understood personality and dealt differently with individual styles. For instance, Mary and Martha had very different personalities. We’re introduced to them in Luke 10:38. Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus all lived in the same house in a little town in 1st century Palestine called Bethany – just a couple of miles from Jerusalem. All three were single and Martha appears to have been the head of the household.

In v.39, Mary listened to Jesus. She was more of a Golden Retriever = people-oriented, calm, easy-going, dependable, and quiet. In v.40, Martha shows that she’s a Lion = task-oriented, practical, productive, strong-willed, independent, decisive, a leader. How did Jesus deal with these two different styles? In v. 41, Jesus “care”fronts Martha in her weakness of being overly task-oriented.

In another passage in John 11, Jesus deals with the death of their brother Lazarus. In 11:21-27, Martha, the Lion, challenges Jesus; Jesus is firm with her and connects with her style by teaching her. In 11:32-37, Mary, the Golden Retriever, is upset so Jesus weeps with her and connects with her style or personality.

Understanding someone’s style helps us get along better with them and even get into their shoes the way Jesus did. At TCU, we want to be a church where we appreciate each other and foster an environment where people truly experience the love of Jesus for them.