The One Thing Needed!
The Lord answered and told her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but one thing is needed. In fact, Mary has chosen that better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke10:41-42
Martha did a very nice thing. She invited Jesus to her home. Luke doesn’t include any other information about how many people may have been involved. By this time the Twelve Disciples where always with Jesus. There were also other followers that Martha may have included in the invite. But even if Jesus was the only guest, she wanted everything to be perfect.
If you have ever thrown a party or invited people you considered important to your home, it isn’t hard to relate to Martha. It seemed like such a good idea at the time, but now when the rubber hits the road, the responsibility seems overwhelming. She declares, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.”
“Lord, don’t you care. . . ?” We can relate. It isn’t just when we have guests to serve. Situations arise again and again. The question keeps popping up, “Lord, don’t you care?”
The reply of Jesus is always applicable. When we are worried and upset there is always one thing needed. Jesus does and will work it out. It is always important to keep our priorities straight. In most (maybe even all) of the Psalms the middle verse(s) express the important point of the psalm. Many books of the Bible are like that too. Just like “I know that my Redeemer lives” is the middle verse of Job, so verses 41 and 42 are the middle verse of this Gospel.
When worried and upset, remember the example of Mary and the advice of Jesus, one thing is needed – Jesus.
Lord Jesus, thanks for your precious presence. Help me always put my trust in you. Amen.