Necessary...

I was reading again the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10. In that story, Martha is left to handle the household chores while Mary sits and soaks in the teaching of Jesus.  As I pondered this today, I was drawn to the statement Jesus made to Mary:

Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” 

 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Lk 10:41–42). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

Hmmm. What IS necessary? What is the "better part"? Well, by context, the teaching of Jesus and the kingdom He was bringing into existence. As one devotional I read stated:

Choosing the “better part” doesn’t invalidate the things we’re busy with; indeed, Martha’s work served the needs of others. But the things we do shouldn’t shape our identity. The “one thing” that should shape our identity—the one thing we really need—is Jesus. Ultimately, it’s the desire to know Him and serve Him that should shape our lives. And whatever is not dedicated to that service is not among “the few things [that] are necessary.”

 Barry, J. D., & Kruyswijk, R. (2012). Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan. Lexham Press.

So, what do we busy ourselves with that are not nearly as important as Jesus and His kingdom? 

Lord, teach us necessary!


Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash



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