Luke 10:41, 42 - One Thing is Needed.
Luke 10:41, 42 - One Thing is Needed.
Luke 10:41, 42 (NKJV) And Jesus answered and said to her,
"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But
one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will
not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:41, 42 (ESV) But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha,
you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is
necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away
from her."
INTRODUCTION
The Good Samaritan story (Luke 10:25-37) illustrates love for
neighbor. The Mary and Martha story (Luke 10:38-42) illustrates love for
God. [Victor Bible Reader's Companion]
Surely the message of the story is clear. Our relationship with
Jesus - our desire to spend time with Jesus and listen to His Word -
is to take priority even over loving service... Unless we give
relationship priority, the loving service we now provide may well deteriorate
into the sterile religion of the priest and Levite of the Good
Samaritan story. [Victor Bible Background Commentary]
COMMENTARY
Jesus cut through the "many things" pressing in on Martha and
focused on one thing.... helping her see what was truly important and of
eternal value.... Seeking to be with Jesus and listening to him was of the
highest priority. [New Bible Companion]
One thing is needful." This one thing, according to this
passage, is faith in Christ Jesus, the sitting down at the Master's feet,
the drinking in His Word. Charles Spurgeon [Spirit Filled Life
Devotional SB]
There is one thing, above all else, that is necessary: to spend
time exclusively with Jesus and to listen to his words with
undistracted attention. [Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown Commentary]
Sitting at Christ's feet, signifies readiness to receive his
word, and submission to the guidance of it. [Matthew Henry
Commentary]
Mary and Martha both loved Jesus. On this occasion they were
both serving him. But Martha thought Mary's style of serving was
inferior to hers. She didn't realize that in her desire to serve, she was
actually neglecting her guest. Are you so busy doing things 'for' Jesus
that you're not spending any time 'with' him? [Life Application SB]
Martha's choice would be taken from her, for her services would
die with her. Mary's would never be taken inasmuch as hers were
spiritual and eternal. [Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown Commentary]
God created us to enjoy a deep and intimate relationship with
Himself, and while works of service are important, they must never
eclipse the fellowship He wants to experience with each of us. [Life
Principles SB By Charles Stanley re Luke 10:42]
Every believer should have what is commonly called daily
devotions, a time set aside every day when he gets alone with God and sits
at God's feet to seek His Word. [Preacher's Outline & Sermon
Bible]
It's a familiar story with a familiar message. Jesus is
visiting the home of some friends, and Martha is busy preparing a big
dinner for the honored guest and others who have gathered. Mary, as a
cohost, is expected to help with all the preparations; that's normal in
this culture. But Mary departs from normalcy and sits at the feet of
Jesus, listening to Him teach. Martha is offended by the unfairness,
but Jesus commends Mary for forsaking busyness and investing her
time in what's most important.
God wants us to fulfill our responsibilities, of course, but
only with the right perspective. What would He say of our fast-paced
times? "I see people striving for so many things - to fulfill their
responsibilities to their families, to earn an income - but often doing these
good things in a way that shows a motivation for status, comfort,
pride, protecting themselves in the future, impressing people, or even
simply greed. They envision a dream and then spend themselves on
reaching it, but they never really do. They pursue 'needs' that aren't
needs. All the while, they neglect Me, the one who could give them
status, security, promises for fulfillment, comfort, and so much more in
a moment's time. They have real, deep-down desires but are trying
to fulfill them in misguided and inefficient ways. If they invested
more time in Me and less time in their strategies, I would give them
better results, both internally and externally!"
We know this is true. We tell ourselves often that we need to
slow down and prioritize the Lord's Presence. Still, we keep running
the rat race, spinning our wheels, chasing the wind, or whatever
other metaphor describes our condition so well. We have to stop.
Literally. Sitting and listening is more important than anything else we
can do.
Lord, forgive my busyness. Whatever it costs, help me not to
skip my time with You. [The One Year Experiencing God's Presence
Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
ILLUSTRATION
American culture is plagued by hyperactivity without
productivity. We think being busy equals importance or a frantic pace is a
path to success. Like a pack mule loaded down with an overabundance
of supplies, we pack our calendar to the breaking point. We play
mind games with ourselves that busyness is what's best for our
family, when in fact the real outcomes are: relational emptiness, health
challenges and irritable emotions. We even justify being over active for
Jesus.
Perhaps a wiser start to each new day is a stop doing list.
As Jesus instructed Martha, we need to take an inventory of our
activities and ask what is really needed. What has served its purpose for a
season, but is now unnecessary, even an obstacle to what's best? Let go
of emotional attachments and embrace some margin for meaningful
relationships. Is it time to stop a sports program, a long commute or a tired
volunteer role? Become better with contemplation and strategic
availability.
"When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross
to the other side of the lake" (Matthew 18:18).
It takes courage to take the route trafficked infrequently,
but the ride is less stressful and more enjoyable. Avoid going where
everyone else is going; nowhere fast. A fast track is too fast when it
starves our faith. We find ourselves with very little left over time for
prayer, Bible study, worship and community. Give what's important first
priority on the calendar. Worry works itself out of a job when we work
out our bodies, feed our minds, heal our emotions and rest our
souls.
By faith stop doing something each week or month that has
passed its prime time. Be patient not to rush and fill a gap in your
calendar already crowded with appointments. Blocks of discretionary time
give you availability for spontaneous service. Take a step back from
the myopic view of trees bunched together, so you can see the
imaginative forest of faith. Anyone can be busy, some can be productive, but
few walk by faith and watch God do more. Stop doing good to do
better.
Heavenly Father, give me the faith to let go of the good, so
I can enjoy Your best. [Wisdom Hunters Devotional]
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
My dear one, You spend tremendous energy on trying to be a good
Christian. But self-effort will never produce the completed saint.
Instead, spend that same amount of time and effort just sitting at my
feet. Read my Word. Listen to my voice. Absorb my truth. Let the
lifeblood of my gospel begin to flow through your veins, and you will
begin to be remade. A person will most surely become like those with
whom he or she keeps company. Trust me. I am faithful, and I will
never ask of you what I am not willing to perform in your life. I will
do it! Your God [Postcards from Heaven by Claire Cloninger re
1Th.5:23,24]
Let the dew of My presence refresh your mind and heart. So
many, many things vie for your attention in this complex world of
instant communication. The world has changed enormously since I first
gave the command to be still, and know that I am God. However, this
timeless truth is essential for the well-being of your soul. As dew
refreshes grass and flowers during the stillness of the night, so My
Presence revitalizes you as you sit quietly with Me.
A refreshed, revitalized mind is able to sort out what is
important and what is not. In its natural condition, your mind easily gets
stuck on trivial matters. Like the spinning wheels of a car trapped in
mud, the cogs of your brain spin impotently when you focus on a
trivial thing. As soon as you start communicating with Me about the
matter, your thoughts gain traction, and you can move on to more
important things. Communicate with Me continually, and I will put My
thoughts into your mind. (Psalm 46:10; Luke 10:39-42; 1 Corinthians 14:33
NKJV) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Come away with Me for a while. The world, with its nonstop
demands, can be put on hold. Most people put Me on hold, rationalizing
that someday they will find time to focus on Me. But the longer
people push Me into the background of their lives, the harder it is for
them to find Me.
You live among people who glorify busyness; they have made
time a tyrant that controls their lives. Even those who know Me as
Savior tend to march to the tempo of the world. They have bought into
the illusion that more is always better: more meetings, more
programs, more activity.
I have called you to follow Me on a solitary path, making
time alone with Me your highest priority, and deepest Joy. It is a
pathway largely unappreciated and often despised. However, you have
chosen the better thing, which will never be taken away from you.
Moreover, as you walk close to Me, I can bless others through you.
(SOS2:13; Luke 10:42) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Relax in My healing presence. As you spend time with Me, your
thoughts tend to jump ahead to today's plans and problems. Bring your
mind back to Me for refreshment and renewal. Let the Light of My
Presence soak into you, as you focus your thoughts on Me. Thus I equip
you to face whatever the day brings. This sacrifice of time pleases
Me and strengthens you. Do not skimp on our time together. Resist
the clamor of tasks waiting to be done. You have chosen what is
better, and it will not be taken away from you. (Psa. 105:4; Luke
10:39-42) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Problems are part of life. They are inescapable: woven into
the very fabric of this fallen world. You tend to go into
problem-solving mode all too readily, acting as if you have the capacity to fix
everything. This is a habitual response, so automatic that it bypasses your
conscious thinking. Not only does this habit frustrate you, it also
distances you from Me.
Do not let fixing things be your top priority. You are ever
so limited in your capacity to correct all that is wrong in the
world around you. Don't weigh yourself down with responsibilities that
are not your own. Instead, make your relationship with Me your
primary concern. Talk with Me about whatever is on your mind, seeking My
perspective on the situation. Rather than trying to fix everything that
comes to your attention, ask Me to show you what is truly important.
Remember that you are en route to heaven, and let your problems fade in
the Light of eternity. (Psa. 32:8; Luke 10:41, 42; Phi. 3:20, 21)
[Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
ONE LINERS
Martha allowed service to override communion, and so presented
one duty stained with the blood of another. Charles H. Spurgeon
How many of us are "Martha" today? We hurry and scurry, doing
all the needed errands and tasks, and miss or neglect the most
important thing in our life: deepening our relationship with Jesus
Christ! Are you a "Martha"? [In His Time; Walk With Wisdom]
Choose "the one thing that is needful," namely food for the soul
rather than food for the stomach. [Pocket Prayers by Robert Savage]
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDY:
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
LINKS FOR PROPHECY SEMINARS:
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Revelation Today by Pastor John Bradshaw:
https://revelationtoday.com/other-streams/
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
