Martha, Martha, .... Only One Thing Is Needed - A Reflection on Luke 10:38-42 (3.21.21)

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:38-42

Fellow Faith Believers,
Can you imagine a greater privilege than to get to cook and serve a meal to Jesus and His Disciples? The queen of New Testament hospitality, Martha of Bethany, was excited over this opportunity. She wanted it to be just right. But she needed some help, and her sister Mary was nowhere to be found, until Martha went into the main part of the house and saw her sister sitting at Jesus’ Feet, listening to Him.  

Martha’s complaint to Jesus, over her sister’s lack of help, prompts one of the most radical statements spoken by Jesus. If we allow His Words to sink into our lives, we will be forever changed. “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” Then He pointed to what Mary was doing, as the one thing.  

We don’t know about your lives, but ours are very busy with many things that seemed - at the time - very needed or very necessary. Look at our calendars and you’ll find many things that we think are important, and should be done. But we must assume that the Son of The Lord of Creation knows what He Is talking about.  And that, in the midst of our horizontal activity, only one thing is truly essential.  

What amazes us is the reality of the “one thing” Mary was engaged in. She wasn’t really doing anything! She was simply being with Jesus, and preferring this to everything else she could have been occupied with, on that particular day.

But Jesus gently tells us that being with Him is the one thing we should commit ourselves to - above everything else.  

Fellow Faith Believers, what is your priority today?

Jesus changes us from a horizontal lifestyle that focuses on needs, people, calendars, budgets, and a seemingly endless list of “important activities;" toward a vertical posture that fixes our eyes on His Love, His Purpose and His Presence.

~ Prayer ~
Lord Jesus,
How I long to sit at Your Feet and listen.
Help me to turn from busyness and self, to look to You.

In the midst of serving You and loving You, I want to be with You.
I need Your Help to keep my priorities, based on Your desires for me.

I lay down my life this day, and choose to fix my eyes on You.

In Your Mighty Name, I pray,
Amen

 

And never forget to:

•  Praise GOD for His Matchless Grace.
• Give thanks that His Grace is sufficient for you in every situation.
• Confess any do-it-yourself efforts, in which you have rejected GOD’s Grace, and tried to go it alone.
• Commit yourself to being a channel of that grace to others.
• Ask that GOD Will meet your needs, according to His Glorious Riches in His Son, Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19) and that His Grace will be poured out abundantly.
• Lift up the Mighty Name of JESUS!!!!!