One Thing

“ONE THING”

“One thing you lack” (Mark 10:17-22)

“what shall I do...?”(17)

Matthew 19:16  And behold, one came and said to Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?

It would appear initially that this man is seeking for a good thing to do.

His hope may be that this will be so good so as to obtain eternal life.

“why do you call me 'good'?” (18-20)

A challenge – Jesus is saying, “do you truly understand who I am?”

Might think that the man claims a perfect obedience to all the commands listed, but the text literally reads that he has kept these things since he was what we could consider to be a teenager. These commands were broken in greater numbers and were a good test of character under the Old Law.

In the young man's mind, there is NOTHING lacking in his service “by the numbers” - yet he seems to understand that there is SOMETHING left to do. There is something missing.

“Jesus, beholding him, loved him” (21-22)

This shows a personal attachment – Jesus loves everyone, but looking at the genuineness of this man, he has a particular affection for him.

Despite this, the situation is that he lacks “one thing”, and Jesus identifies it for him.

If Jesus identified “one thing” we lacked, what would our reaction be?

He might in reality identify MANY things to be corrected, but if it was just one thing, wouldn't we be happy? Just one thing we lack! We had better solve it!

This young man departs, loving his wealth more than Jesus.

“One thing is needful” (Luke 10:38-42)

“distracted with much serving.” (38-40)

God wants us to serve others. Philippians 2:4

Philippians 2:4 Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others.

What is the problem with being preoccupied with this?

The core problem: “Lord, do you not care...?”

Almost a reprimand toward Jesus that He hasn't sent Mary to help her out.

Compare to Mark 4:38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Fear vs. faith

“careful and troubled about many things” (41)

Not a rebuke, but a reminder of priorities.

Martha is distracted in thinking that her way was the ONLY way to act when the Master was a guest.

With a positive intention, we can still become “troubled about many things”.

“One thing is needful” (42)

Both Mary and Martha are doing their best to provide a good experience for their honored guest; Martha would like nothing better than to do everything she can as a host, and Mary sits and listens.

Mary is not inherently better than Martha; it is simply that she had chosen to sit at the feet of Jesus (39). THIS is “the good part”.

This by no means is a neglect of other things that must be done in our lives, but we need to listen to Jesus.

Jesus is telling her that “Many things” are possible to do, but only “one thing” is needful.

“One Thing” that we all need (Philippians 3:7-14)

Forsake the wisdom of this world (7-8)

Paul had a lot going for him, but when it came to Christ, he counted it LESS THAN WORTHLESS – DUNG!

Not just useless, but an offensive, odorous thing!

In relation, this is how we must treat worldly things.

School, sports, food, whatever in this life – it should never hold any sway upon our souls!

Be found in Christ and know Him (9-11)

This is what it truly means to be RIGHTEOUS.

Trusting in God's wisdom, and not man's (OUR) wisdom.

Looking not at the pleasures of this world, but to the resurrection.

Know that we are not perfect (12)

This God-given righteousness is not a cause for saying that we are exactly who we should be – we are all works in progress.

We are not complete, so we keep pushing and reaching to be a captive of Jesus.

Forget what is behind and press toward the "one thing” (13-14)

These many elements Paul describes is termed as “one thing” - this is a singular idea that we need to hold on to!

We need to be striving, working, PRESSING toward the mark that has been given.

We cannot do that unless we FORGET what was before (13)

There may be MANY things that we lack – but we ALL need the ONE THING – Jesus and His Salvation!

Joshua 23:14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which Jehovah your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, not one thing hath failed thereof.