But one thing is needful…

Ice Breaker

What is something you do to multi-task?

Rate yourself 1-10, 1 being I end up failing, 10 being i can successfully balance multiple things at once

In academia, the world of learning, there are hundreds if not thousands of study habits given to students through the use of acronyms, memorization hacks and more

What is something you’ve used to help you remember the learning materials you’ve been studying?

The story of Mary and Martha, hosting Jesus and the disciples, si one of a simple image of today’s believers - you and I.

We like to believe we are SO special. Maybe to your parents, grandparents, significant other - hint, all those people are SUPPOSED to think that way about you…you don’t get extra points!

However, at the end of the day, Jesus taught a simple, yet powerful lesson on identity through his response to Martha’s reaction.

Let’s explore the events that lead up to this.

In Luke chapter 9, Jesus does a lot of different things…

Luke 9:2 “And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.”

In verse 2 he gave a command to his disciples to go and preach the gospel and to heal the sick

Luke 9:16 “Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.”

In verse 16 he took five loaves of bread and two fish and he multiplied them to feed the multitude of people

Luke 9:22–23 “Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

In verse 22 and 23 he foreshadowed the fulfillment of his prophetic life and charged the disciples with the pre-requisites for following him

Luke 9:28 “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.”

beginning in verse 28, Jesus, Peter, John & James went to the mountain to pray

in this moment, Jesus was transfigured, and he spoke with Elias and Moses whom also confirmed the prophetic end to his life

Peter, James & John were asleep but Peter woke up and saw the glory of Jesus as the bible says they - elias and moses - departed from him

Peter jumps into action and thinks the best thing he can do in that moment is build three tabernacles for Jesus Moses and Elias

What happens next?

Luke 9:34–35 “While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.”

notice how the voice didn’t say build three tabernacles, find the best animal you can and do 3 backflips… no. Peter’s inability to stay still in that moment, led to a command for attention ‘are you listening?’

The voice simply identifies Jesus, and commands those standing at attention in his presence to hear him

By the end of the chapter, Jesus rebukes the same James and John who were with him on the mountain for expecting him to use his power to alter the physical state of the environment around them. The messengers were sent forth ahead of jesus to make ready for him…

Luke 9:54–56 “And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.”

Notice how Jesus was less concerned with altering the physical environment around them that rejected them, as he was more concerned with the internal work - saving souls. Hold on to that though…

Luke 9:59–60 “And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.”

-When Jesus was presently working in his ministry, he was focused on souls. He was not interested in any other business than souls. Hold on to that thought.

Fast Forward to Luke Chapter 10.

Jesus once again commissions disciples this time not just his core 12 but 70 outside of them.

He runs the gammit of giving them instructions and explains what will happen to those that reject his disciples - for they are not truly rejecting them but him.

One could say they had a successful mission…

Luke 10:17–19 “And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Watch this, what was worth focusing on to Jesus? Is it better that they did what he asked, or that they were identified as one of his own?

Luke 10:20 “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

imagine telling Jesus ‘Wow Lord look I just did XYZ i am so excited!’ and he responds…in today’s modern terms ‘thats crazy..but XYZ’

Takeaway, he wasn’t impressed with the fulfillment of the mission, he was rejoicing that their names were written in heaven. Jesus is always thinking further ahead than we are.

Watch what he says to his disciples afterwards…

Luke 10:23–24 “And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.”

it is a gift to be able to stare at the same thing, but have a completely different vision. We are getting to the point of what vision we are to have.

From verse 24 to 37 he explains the importance of compassion on our neighbor.

But in Verses 37 through 42, is the dual christian nature of who we tend to be. plain as can be.

Luke 10:38–39 “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.”

here they are, hungry, tired, travelled out far and wide.

Luke 10:40 “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.”

it would be expected of anyone to consider the condition of these travellers. After all, Jesus taught to be hospitable right? Yes, but he also taught to SEE with eyes that can see and have ears to hear truth. The truth of the matter in that moment was that Martha’s eyes could only see the so called WORK required to tend to the guests rather than beholding the ONE GUEST in her home, that could care less about the environment!

Martha saw…here is Jesus, important Jesus, let me dress the room, make sure the food is prepared, work work work work…all of a sudden looking up and seeing her absent sister not ‘doing anything’ - some nerve right?

Hmmm, let me see what Jesus would have to say about this surely he will take my side right? Surely he knows why I am working so hard in this area of my life for a desired outcome right? Surely he gets what I am doing is important right? Maybe.

But what does Jesus say?

Luke 10:41–42 “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Martha, thank you, but stop. Your sister Mary has chosen to behold me because she can SEE, the better response in this moment is to just be still. the better response is to just soak up this presence. be still and know that I am God.

what was Jesus talking about when he said to the disciples kings and have to see and hear the things that they are able to? Could it be that the gift we have is what Jesus referencing as this one thing is needful? Two sisters of the same family same home but two different Jesus being in the room. Is your response to be busy? your response to be present. This is an identification of who we are as believers how to connect to Jesus’s response to the that came back rejoicing. They were excited they were boasting. They were happy rightfully, so if I had the same power as Jesus, I would be too however, he was more concerned with the purpose of the activity rather than the activity itself. presence of Martha, Jesus was more concerned with serving rather than being served. How this ? As much as we want to serve God and give to God? There is a what we can give him. You could say is the end of your which moment you will no longer be able to voluntarily give God praise. However, on the contrary, there is no end to what God can do in service to us while in his presence. Do we get in the way sometimes by being to work minded? Do we get in the way sometimes by being too strategy focused? That we forget the very thing that is needful? Jesus said Mary had that good part that would not be taken from never said Martha’s work was needful or that it wasn’t needful he said, but one thing is needful. And Martha has part. so then, what can we do? If working is not needed for God.What do we do?

Luke 11:5–13 “And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”

doesn’t say prepare the table and it’ll be given to you. The scripture doesn’t say Peter prepare three it’ll be given to you. The scripture doesn’t say Martha the food and be given to you. The scripture doesn’t say go perform works in my name and it’ll be given to you. The scripture says ask knock seek. the presence of God the best response we could have is to seek him to ask teach me your ways to knock at the door of understanding. The truth is when we take an approach like Martha we miss the moment. blinded by our own and we miss the presence of God.

Do you think God cares how well we can multitask? Do you think he cares if your life is balanced? Yes he cares that it’s . Based context, I don’t see where God is concerned with the work as he is concerned with the vessel that’s doing the work. The truth is God can use the unrighteous to do righteous work. God can do anything through any vessel, he spoke through a donkey he spoken through a spoken through a spoken through many wonders. So if he can accomplish, the same works through inanimate why would he require us? Or is it that because he’s chosen us to be the living vessels of his temple, not built by man’s hands, but dwelling on the inside he’s required. That one thing is needful that one thing just as Mary did to sit and observe to sit at his feet maybe just that one act is what he’s asking for rather than the busyness that we create around it.