(Luke 10:41,42 MSG) The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it — it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”
This morning we continue our new series entitled, “Faith and Patience VOL III – Never Give Up!” Yesterday I introduced you to two sisters that we should take the time to learn from, and indeed we will. When we met them they were at home with Jesus. One sister (Martha) was busy in the kitchen working while the other sister (Mary) was sitting at Jesus’ feet worshipping.
In this series we have learned about remaining in faith for the long haul. One of the keys to keeping your faith switch in the “ON” position is maintaining your peace and entering into God’s rest. When we look at these two sisters we see that one seemed to be in perfect peace and the other was far from it. Martha was frustrated and aggravated, while Mary was spending time with Jesus, without a care in the world. Therein lies the power of worship. When you worship God all your cares and concerns can dissipate in His presence. It is clear to see, then, how a regular diet of worship and praise help to promote an environment of faith and patience, along with joy and peace.
Before we move on to another incident in the lives of these two sisters I want to bring a few more things from this text. The latter portion of our focus text, taken from the Message Bible, says, “One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it — it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.” I told you yesterday that the King James Version calls what Mary was doing the “Needful thing.” I want to show you this portion of the text from a couple of other translations:
International Stand Version: “But there’s only one thing you need. Mary has chosen what is better, and it is not to be taken away from her.”
New American Standard Bible: “But only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Now you have seen it from four different translations. What Mary was doing is called: essential, needful, the only thing we need, and the only thing that is necessary. Remember, this statement came from the lips of Jesus. This was Jesus’ assessment of Mary’s actions. If Jesus called it essential, needful, and necessary, then it is obvious that we should want it. The more time we spend in God’s presence the better equipped we will be to spend time in the presence of others. This time is so necessary that Jesus refused to dismiss Mary to the kitchen. Martha was upset with Mary, but Jesus was pleased with what she was doing so He chose to have Mary remain where she was.
So what does this mean to you today? Two things:
1. Worship is necessary: When Jesus calls something necessary, then it clearly is. Spending time at the feet of Jesus is not an option, especially if you want to be able to hold-on and remain in faith for the long haul. As a matter of fact, the time you spend with Jesus in the morning will prepare you for the time you spend with others throughout the day.
2. Pleasing God is more important than pleasing man: Martha was clearly upset. If Mary wanted to please Martha she could have left Jesus and went into the kitchen. But Jesus was pleased with what she was doing. So she had a choice: please God or please man. She made the right choice. As much as God wants us to live in harmony with others, He never wants us to do it at the expense of our relationship with Him. Never compromise your beliefs, values, or faith in order to please someone else.
Closing Confession: Father, thank You for this Word. I understand the importance of worship and I declare that I will routinely participate in the essential, needful, and necessary thing in my life. I will spend time with You in the morning and as I do, You help prepare me for my time with others. I love You with all my heart and I want to please You. I seek to get live in harmony with man, but not at the expense of my relationship with You. When give a choice between pleasing man and pleasing You, I choose to please You every time! I thank You for spending time with me and for helping me to develop my faith and to walk with an unshakable peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
