Only One Thing
Luke 10:42
But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion and it will not be taken away from her.
If Jesus says only one thing is necessary, we would do well to pay attention. Jesus was in the village of Bethany and Martha had welcomed Him into her house. Now Martha had a sister named Mary who was sitting at Jesus’ feet listening intently to Him while Martha was busy serving her guests. But as she was serving, she was growing more and more upset with Jesus and with her sister. Eventually, exasperated, she came to Jesus and complained “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work? Tell her to help me.”
In those days it would have been usual for women to serve while the men sat listening to the teaching - rabbis did not consider it necessary to teach women. But Jesus was different. So, it was not strange that Martha was busy serving - after all she had guests in her house - and she was expecting her sister to help her.
Jesus did not come to fit into this world. His goal wasn’t to be popular, achieve worldly power and status or become wealthy – things that people have always sought after. Jesus came to save us and make us subjects of God’s kingdom, where our usual way of doing things doesn’t apply. In His kingdom there are different priorities. We are told to pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1). We’re told not to store up worldly wealth (Matthew 6:19) but to give generously (2 Corinthians 9:11). We’re encouraged to rejoice in our sufferings, because suffering produces endurance; endurance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3-5). The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (Romans 14:17). These are the virtues Jesus values.
But above all else and because all these other things flow from it, Jesus said only one thing is necessary and Mary had chosen it: to sit at His feet and listen to Him.
The world will tell you to think and act in a certain way if you want to get ahead. Sometimes your own family, even if they’re believers, will complain and tell you to do what they think is right and proper. Scrap all of that. Daily choose the one thing that really is necessary - sitting at the feet of Jesus. He’s the key that will unlock abundant life and it will not be taken away from you.
Lord Jesus I want to sit at your feet and listen to you today. I know that I can do nothing without You but that I can do all things through You. Give me fresh bread today. Amen