One Thing is Needed

One Thing is Needed

“Martha, Martha, Martha, You are worried and troubled about many things-but one thing is needed.” That was Jesus’ response to Martha’s cumbering about with much serving. Remember earlier we discussed that Jesus was rebuking her for being over-occupied with her ministry of serving?

Now Jesus is ready to share His prescription. “Martha, only one thing is needed.” The one thing that wasn’t on Martha’s “TO DO” list was at the top of Mary’s. That is where the tension between these two sisters developed. When Martha realized that her sister wasn’t helping her with HER “TO DO” list, she let loose with accusations and criticisms. “Lord, don’t you care?” “Make Mary help me!”

So, what is that one thing that Martha needed at the top her “TO DO” list?  What is the one thing the Lord requires of us? 

 It’s not nearly as much as we tend to imagine, yet, at the same time, it is much more than we tend to understand. 

 Micah 6:8 says “And what does the Lord require of you-but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

 That is what He wants from us. It is more than DOING service. It involves an ATTITUDE of service that is motivated by our love for our Savior.

Sadly, Martha had allowed her ministry to become drudgery and obligation instead of a joyous opportunity to serve others.  What was needed by Martha? “Not the cooking or cleaning or doing good works, but knowing God. Listening to Him. Leaving the Kitchen long enough to experience the intimate fellowship of the Living Room.” (Taken from Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World, by Joanna Weaver)

I am sure you have heard the story about filling a jar with big rocks and little rocks. I have heard it several times. When you fill the jar with little pebbles first, there is no room to add the bigger ones. However, if you start with the big ones, there is room to fill in with the smaller ones. Joanna Weaver also mentioned that story, and it made me think of Mary and Martha.  Martha, you see, filled the jar with little rocks first and there was not room for the bigger ones (what was needed). Mary, on the other hand, started with the big rocks, which, in turn, left room for the smaller ones.

Ladies, may I dare ask, how do we fill our daily jar?

Where’s the Emphasis?

 You see, Martha was so caught up in the thought that she HAD to do great things to please her Lord that she was missed the big picture. The Lord didn’t require that she DO great things, nor that she do GREAT things, nor even that she do great THINGS to please her Lord. No, He requires that the motive of our hearts be to do great things ‘AS UNTO THE LORD’. He requires that we kindly, lovingly, and humbly serve others for the cause of Christ. And that attitude is developed, first and foremost, by spending time at His feet.

So what is that one thing that is needed?

“Be still and know that I am God.”

 More to come next time when we look at Psalm 46:10.

So my challenge is that we put down our “TO DO” list long enough to sit at the feet of our Savior and get a feel for His ‘TO DO’ list.

BTW: If you missed my previous segment that demonstrated two awesome examples of what we are trying to discern from this Mary/Martha Saga, please make sure you read it. They were a blessing to me, and I trust to you as well.

REMEMBER~~PUT IN THE BIG ROCKS FIRST!!