ONE THING

“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that
good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:42
King James Version

What an honor it must have been for Martha to have Jesus come to her home. I can imagine she wanted everything to be just perfect. It is quite understandable that she wanted everything in place with such a special guest coming across the threshold of her home.
The Bible says that Martha was ‘encumbered about much serving.’ In essence, Martha was overly occupied, too busy and distracted with serving so much so that she could not really enjoy the presence of Jesus. She was so laden with the cares of service that she even went to Jesus and complained that her sister, Mary, was not helping her with the preparations. Not only was she distracted, she wanted her sister to become distracted, as well.
In contrast, Mary seized an opportunity for intimacy with Jesus. She assumed the position of learning at Jesus’ feet. She listened attentively to the words Jesus spoke. After Martha’s complaints, he responded to her and said, “Martha, you are troubled about many things.” Jesus recognized Martha’s pre-occupation on other “things” and gently brought things into perspective for her. Jesus said only ONE thing is needful, or necessary and Mary had chosen that one focus. The one thing was intimacy and fellowship with him.
The world that we live in is very busy. There are so many things that can distract us from keeping our focus on the ONE thing that is important and the things that are eternal. We must learn how to have a ‘Mary attitude in a Martha world.’ The most important thing is seeking the face of Jesus and sitting humbly at His feet. Doing things for God and loving God can be worlds apart. We can have a ‘full plate, but have an empty cup.’ We cannot be so distracted in serving ourselves or others that we neglect the most important thing which is fellowship with the Master.
Are you distracted by so many other things rather than to sitting with Jesus? Do you have a full plate and yet your cup is not flowing over like a fountain of living water? Can it be said of you “(insert your name) has chosen the one thing that is needful?’ Make a decision to choose the good part.