ONLY ONE THING IS NEEDED

Passage: Luke 10:38-42

Key verse: 41,42

NIV

At the Home of Martha and Mary

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha(A) opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary,(B) who sat at the Lord’s feet(C) listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care(D) that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried(E) and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a](F) Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts but only one thing is needed
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Martha and Mary

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named (A)Martha (B)welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called (C)Mary, who (D)sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are (E)anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary.[b] Mary has chosen (F)the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

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Footnotes
  1. Luke 10:38 Greek he
  2. Luke 10:42 Some manuscripts few things are necessary, or only one
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Martha's busy mind (38-40)

Martha opened her home to Jesus. She worked hard to prepare delicious food for him and his hungry disciples. Her sister Mary, instead of helping her, sat at Jesus' feet and listened to his words. As Martha worked, resentment grew in her heart, for Mary was sitting there, doing nothing. Martha had no joy in working for Jesus. She even became angry at him, because he didn't seem to care that she worked, while her sister loafed. Finally, she couldn't take it any longer. She rebuked Jesus for his seeming insensitivity, and asked him to tell her sister to help her.

2. Jesus' caring heart (41-42)

Jesus did care. He had come to give Martha and Mary the best gift--his word of life. Martha was busy serving him in her own way, but Mary chose the one thing that was best--she received his word and his love. This was what Jesus really wanted.

Prayer: Lord, help me to listen to your word and serve you with an obedient life.

One Word: Choose the one best thing