The One Thing Necessary, or Move over Martha

Luke 10:42: "but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Let’s save each other some time. Mary was suspected of sloughing off; not contributing to the work that needed to be done. She was judged as a woman with “her head in the clouds”. BUT Jesus praises her because Mary just wants to be with Jesus. She wants to learn from Him.

In Psalm 27:4 it says: "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."

How can we be with Jesus even after He has ascended into Heaven? Get into His Word, the God-inspired Bible, and pray. Praying is relationship with the Almighty, Holy, and Sovereign God of the Universe. What a privilege to come into His presence and lay out our heart. Why such confidence? Our Savior Jesus has provided the way through His shed blood, His suffering, His resurrection and victory over sin and death, and the sending of His Holy Spirit. Yes, because of Jesus, we can approach the throne of grace confidently. Hebrews 4:16 says: "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Do you want to be with Jesus? If so, get into His Word! Jesus died; men and women have died so we can hold and read God’s word in our own language. We spend money on The Truth Project, Walk Across the Room Evangelism classes; we’ve done Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life; we purchased and watched Reggie McNeal’s videos; Alpha Program; we’ve had __________ (you fill in the blank) and more.

Guess what? Has anything changed?? In spite of all those programs, nothing appears to have changed. I have observed us going to these sessions. In one church, no one had their Bible in the session. We love listening to men (no matter how well intentioned they are) who are mere men and nothing more happens.

When we hold God’s Word in our hands, (John 17:17 – “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”) we hold the truth in our hands. Jesus is the truth and the light. If you want to be with Jesus, read and study, consume, savor, immerse yourself in His awe inspiring, life transforming word. When we hold the Bible in our hands, we hold the collected work of God’s inspired word of the ages. It will never perish but we will. Isaiah 55:10-12 says, "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands."


Do you want a transformed life? Do you want to live a life of praise amidst this age of lies, trials, and mistrust? Then read and savor God’s word. Get yourself a good study Bible in a language you can understand. Pray for God to transform your mind and He will make His word come alive. Psalm 119:103-105: “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Sit at Jesus feet and just be with Jesus—the one necessary thing.

We don’t need any more classes written and taught by mere men. We need to devour God’s inspired words. Yes, we’ve been busy in the kitchen with every other program and class and the truth is, we are not changed; it has made little if any difference. Move over Martha is their room for us in your kitchen? Rather, let’s go sit at the feet of Jesus where there is room for all; come and do the one thing necessary--with Jesus. And yes, I also realize it is not popular these days either. There is always room at the foot of the cross. There is always room at the feet of Jesus. Come; come and be transformed! Come and savor God’s Word and pray over all of it!