Only One Thing Is Necessary!
Thank you for joining me today. Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal what you need to grow in today. God’s Word should be our primary teacher. Eric
Luke 10:38-42 reads, “Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me." 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
In reading these words of Jesus, we can see and relate to both Mary’s and Martha’s situation. Martha had a legitimate concern in wanting to be a proper hostess to their guest. Hospitality in that time and culture was very important. However, let’s take a closer look at what Jesus was seeing and concerned about regarding Martha. ‘Worried’ in the Greek means: over-anxious and distracted. ‘Bothered’ means: in tumult, disturbed or troubled. Martha was so concerned about ‘serving’ well that she was totally stressed. Jesus notably stated that Martha was distracted, worried and troubled about ‘many things.’
Mary, on the other hand, was sitting at Jesus’ feet focused on hearing the ‘logos,’ the message or words that Jesus was speaking. What did Jesus have to say about what Mary was doing? He spoke very profoundly when he stated, “only one thing is necessary.” Then He added, “Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.”
The ‘one thing that is necessary refers to the necessity of focusing on Jesus and His teachings. ‘Necessary’ means: demanded or a requirement. The ‘good’ Mary chose is translated from the Greek word agathos which means: beneficial or “what originates from God and is empowered by Him in their life, through faith.” (HELPS Word-studies). It also means: “the saving work of God, i.e. substantially, the Christian life due to divine efficiency.” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon).
You see, Martha was so focused on the menial tasks that she was missing the most important thing - hearing the words of life Jesus was speaking to them.
For us, we glean the truth of the point Jesus was making - people need to prioritize the spiritual over worldly concerns.
I believe many of us can relate to Martha. We know that the things of God are important, however, we allow other things to take priority. For example, someone comes to visit so we miss a service at church. Often times, other activities, i.e. meetings, parties, ball tournaments or reunions are scheduled at the same times as church services or a Bible study we have been attending. It wouldn’t hurt to miss one night of Bible Study, right? However, if it happens again and again, we could decide that what we hear at church on Sunday is enough. What are our priorities?
Thinking of these things, reminds me of my father. When family or friends came to our house and their visit coincided with the time for a church service - my father gave them three options: come attend church with us, wait for us to get back home to visit longer or end the visit.
When our sons were playing little league baseball, and a tournament was scheduled on a Sunday, I informed their coach that they would be there after church.
How often do our devotional times get replaced by the busyness of our day? Do we put God first or our business, entertainment, social life, housework or leisure time?
Think about this, we have 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year, which gives us a total of 8,760 hours each year of our lives! We live 1,440 minutes a day and during that 1,440 minutes we work, or go to school, sleep, do household activities, personal care, eat, drink, socialize, exercise, sports, spend time on computers, watch tv, read…. hmmmmm. How much of that 1,440 minutes a day do we spend pursuing God?
There is a need to simplify and focus on what truly matters. How do you decide which thing has a higher priority? There is a permanence that comes from spiritual blessings - eternity! There is life and security in choosing to follow Christ and His teachings. It was at the feet of Jesus that Mary received spiritual nourishment. It is at the feet of Jesus that we receive spiritual nourishment. Oh, and what did Jesus say? Only one thing is necessary, demanded, and required and Mary chose that good thing.
Jesus affirmed a single overriding necessity to Mary - “Only one thing is necessary”: intimately listening to and fellowshipping with Him!
Look at King David’s words in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” ‘One thing’ represents the singular focus and priority which David had. He understood that God in the ultimate source of all our needs and desires. ‘Desire’ is not a fleeting wish but a deep heartfelt longing. Take special note of David’s expressed desires: ‘to dwell’ - remain in and inhabit the ‘house of the Lord,’ the temple where you will have continual communion with God. (John 15:4). ‘To gaze’ on the beauty of the Lord - having an intimate and personal experience with God’s presence. Ultimately, it is a place of seeing God face to face! (Revelation 22:4), and ‘to seek Him in His temple’ - to intentionally pursue God’s presence through worship and prayer. I cannot honestly imagine how amazing that will be!
What is the singular focus and priority of your life?
There are numerous sources of information, wisdom and advice in the world today. We have books, schools, libraries, radio, television, other people, and the internet. However, there is only one source of absolute truth which we can depend on to teach us how to live a godly life. There is one source wherein the words are words of life. That source is the Word of God.
Interestingly, we see a ‘plea for divine intervention in aligning one’s desires with God’s Word’ in Psalm 119: 36 and 37. (Bible Hub Study Bible). These verses read, “Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” In verse 36, ‘turn’ hat- is to incline one’s heart unto God. (Brown-Driver-Briggs). Our ‘heart’ is the center of one’s will and emotions. ‘Testimonies’ are God’s laws and decrees. (A reflection of His character and will.). Why would the Psalmist write, “not to covetous gain”? Pursuing wealth can lead us away from God (Luke 12:16-20). “True contentment and fulfillment are found in God alone - not in material possessions.” (Bible Hub Study Bible). ‘Worthless things’ means nothingness, emptiness and in verse 37 “in a biblical context ‘worthless things’ could be idols or anything that detracts from God.” (Bible Hub, Study Bible). We see again there is a need for spiritual focus and discernment. Before we go on though, there is one more thing I want you to especially note concerning these verses. The Psalmist is beseeching God to help him in this area. We need to do the same. Having money is sometimes intoxicating, we get anything we want, when we want, then we want more and are not satisfied with what we have. “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10a). God is our source of help, when we struggle with doing the right thing and sometimes that is what we need to do, call out to Him for help.
The Word of God is our “divine counselor or our source of wisdom and guidance for our life’s decisions and challenges.” (Psalm 119:24, Bible Hub Study Bible). Proverbs 6:22 and 23 reveals that the commandments or the Lord are a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. My question for you is - “How can you receive or get the counsel you need from Scripture if you don’t read it, if you are too busy or distracted doing worthless (in terms of eternity) things?
Do you know that trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger or the threat of death cannot separate you from the love of Christ? (Romans 8:37). In all of these things we are more than conquerors! How can that be? In Christ, our spiritual destiny has been determined and secured, Hallelujah!
And then, in addition to that, if we prioritize God’s kingdom and righteousness in our lives now, even our material needs will be met. (Matthew 6:33).
The Apostle Paul stated he had more reason to be confident in his own efforts than anyone and yet after he encountered Christ, His life’s purposes were redefined. He came to recognize that all of ‘those worldly things’ became worthless to him. You see, Paul was a very educated, respected man who took great pride in what he was and did - but - he also found that only ‘One thing’ was needed! He saw all of those worldly things in his life as “rubbish.” Philippians 3:8 (ESV), “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”
Are you recognizing that compared to a personal relationship with Jesus, nothing else as vital or more valuable? Only one thing is necessary!
We see ‘necessary’ truth in John 6:27 and 63, “Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." ... 63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and life.”
How much of your God given 1,440 minutes are dedicated to Him?
“Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” (Deuteronomy 8:36). Physical sustenance is insufficient for true life.. God’s Word has life-giving power.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth.” Earthly possessions are temporary. Earthly treasures decay. Spiritual treasures have an eternal nature. “Store up treasures in heaven. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21).
Invest your life in what is eternal. We are eternal beings. You will spend that eternity either with God in heaven or separated from Him forever, depending on your relationship with Christ. Colossians 3: 1 and 2 (BSB), “Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above not on earthly things.” As a believer, we are to ‘strive’ (seek after and for, search for, desire, require, demand and aim) for the things above. We are to ‘set’ (direct, seek, be intent and pursue) our mind on things above, not on earthly things.
I want to exhort you one more time: Be like Mary. Above your busyness, desire to sit at His feet and focus on His teachings. Do that one thing that is necessary.
Unless noted otherwise all Scripture is taken from the New International Version.
NASB20 New American Standard Bible
ESV English Standard Version
BSB Berean Standard Bible