But One Thing is Needful Part 2

by John Lowe
(Laurens SC, USA)

The scripture says that Martha went into the room where Jesus was preaching, “And she stood and said”, “My sister is not helping me, will you please ask her to give me a hand with the preparations.” Note that she did not set at the feet of Jesus as Mary did, to listen to His preaching, but instead, she stood so she could leave quickly and return to working. Now understand, Martha wasn’t wrong in what she wanted to give her Savior, a delicious meal. But really, it’s a question of priorities. What is the one thing needful? Mary chose that one thing. She sat at the feet of Jesus to hear God’s word.

Listen to these words from Romans10:14, 17, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Here it is again, “the one thing needed,” the word of God. It says that faith comes by hearing the word of God. How can you believe in someone that you don’t know? This is a great verse because it shows us how God works to bring a person to faith in Him. It says that God uses a person to bring the word of God to someone who is lost and that the Holy Spirit takes that word and works a miracle in the heart of that lost man or woman; so then faith comes by hearing the word of God.

So, now I ask those of you who have been going to church for many years. For years, you have been seated at the feet of Jesus. So, at the present, how are your priorities? Does God and His word still have first place in your life? Be careful, because the Devil is going to tempt you to think you know it all, so why keep studying? He’s going to tempt us to set in front of the television, in front of the computer, to stay sleeping in our beds, instead of sitting at the feet of Jesus.

And you know, our church services and our Bible studies, aren’t the only opportunities that you have to set at the feet of Jesus. Every time you set down and open your bible and study God’s word, you are setting at the feet of Jesus. So, I encourage you to study God’s word on your own, or with friends. And for those of you who may not have gone to church very much, and you do not know much from God’s word: I will also ask you, “How are your priorities?” You are right now seated at the feet of Jesus Christ, through the Word of God. But, what about tomorrow? And what about Thursday? It’s time to change your priorities.

A change in spiritual priorities will make all the difference in your life; because there is only one thing needful. This Word from God, our Bible, teaches us about our sins, and about our need for a Savior. And then it shows us that Savior; the Lord Jesus Christ. Through His word, God gives and strengthens our faith. So, continue studying, and learning and growing. Continue setting at the feet of Jesus Christ.

Paul wrote this to young Timothy, “I now say to you: continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you have learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Let’s set at the feet of our Savior every day of our lives. I want to read verse 42 one more time, But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Mary made the right choice. She chose “that good part.” She chose Jesus, the substance of the word that she heard, and with her choice came eternal life and salvation by Him. And the verse says it shall not be taken from her, by men or Satan. It cannot be lost or taken away.

This is a good place to end our devotion. But let’s go to God in prayer and thank him for the wonderful things that he has given us; salvation and eternal life, His word, the Holy Spirit, the promise of Christ’s return, a home in heaven, and so much more. Really, don’t we have everything we need?