The One Thing that is Necessary

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10: 38-42).

The Spirit inspired Luke to make a record of a brief stop at the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. We notice the contrast here between the sisters’ interaction with Jesus. Mary was so consumed with the presence and words of Jesus that she sat undistracted at His feet. Martha was so consumed with serving Jesus and that she was moved to complain. Jesus did not condemn or commend either sister, but He used this encounter to teach truth seekers that He is the one thing that is necessary.

Developing disciples are not distracted by Godly service. Martha was upset because she was busy tending to the needs of Jesus and the disciples that traveled with Him. There was so much to do that she had no time to sit at the feet of the Teacher like her insensitive sister Mary. The Spirit intentionally inspired Luke to use the words “Martha was distracted by much serving” to warn truth seekers to avoid the temptation to let serving Christ keep us from knowing Christ. Jesus taught that the primary work of God is building faith in Him… “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:29). Increasing faith in Christ requires increasing fellowship and intimacy with Him… “Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD” (Hosea 6:3). Truly born again disciples believe that all of life, serving, praying, studying, or fellowshipping is opportunity to know God and His Son better… “This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Determined disciples are not disturbed by holy seclusion. Martha was upset because she was serving alone. Busyness separated Martha from others and left her bearing the entire responsibility of caring for Jesus and His disciples all by herself. Often our ministry takes us away from family and friends and leaves us feeling isolated. There is temptation to try to drag others into our place of service just so we don’t have to be alone. But the Spirit teaches that God has created each of us for a unique and holy work… “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). As we grow in Christ we learn to enjoy the wonderful diversity in the body of Christ and to encourage others to discover and pursue the calling and gifts God has uniquely blessed them with. We also learn to trust God to supply us with the personal energy and power we need to serve Him as well as bringing others alongside of us to help in His work… “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Diligent disciples are not diverted by less-important seductions. Martha was upset because her eyes were on circumstances that were not what she thought they should be. Her attention was on people that were not doing what she thought they should be doing. She was unable to see and appreciate how her Godly hospitality and service were enabling others like her sister Mary to enjoy the blessing of sitting at the feet of Jesus. Her focus on the natural things around her blinded her to the spiritual blessings others were receiving. Maturing disciples are increasingly sensitive to the spiritual blessings of knowing and serving Christ… “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). This spiritual discernment increases as we train our eyes to seek Christ in every moment of life… “As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18).

As we grow up into Christ we are blessed in all we do as we keep our focus on Jesus because He is…

The One Thing that is Necessary.