Mary Sits Listening to Jesus While Martha ServesBible World
10:42Luke 10:42
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
While Mary sat listening intently to Jesus in the home at Bethany, Martha was occupied with preparing a meal and many household tasks and complained that she was left to serve alone, and He answered that anxiety over common duties must not crowd out attention to eternal life. The one thing needful is a calm, devotional spirit that puts concern for what endures forever before anxiety over passing things, seeking knowledge of the immortal life and the graces needed for spiritual growth as a treasure more precious than earthly riches. Choosing that good part means sitting at His feet to eagerly hear His teaching, studying the word of God and meditating on it, receiving it into the heart and practicing it in daily life. This does not reject faithful work, for energetic service is still to be done, but Martha's willingness to minister is to be blended with Mary's sincere love for the truth in earnest, prudent and persevering labor for souls. What is so gained is a life lived for God through grace from heaven, bringing rest to the soul, strength of principle to resist temptation, and everlasting life that shall not be taken away.
Story at Bethany
The saying stands in the closing part of Luke 10, in the section beginning at verse 25 that sets forth what must be done to inherit eternal life. That way to life is not the gaining of a wonderful higher education in sophistries and spiritualistic ideas but standing on the solid foundation Christ Himself created by giving His own life for the life of the world, a foundation to be studied and remembered.
It was spoken during a visit to Bethany, in the quiet and welcoming home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. There was an atmosphere of faith and love, and there were listeners who received His teaching and treasured it. His private instruction there blessed those who listened attentively.
That home was a quiet resting place where He found rest and freedom from the strife of tongues. Around Him were the conjectures, prejudices, criticism, and accusations of priests and rulers. Divinity veiled in humanity and bearing heaven's clear credentials, He moved among men and suffered in man's behalf, with the necessities and woes of the human race pressing upon Him. Though not dependent on human sympathy, He did not check or repulse it. In that home there was no strife, prejudice, and enmity, and no words to sting and bruise the soul. There He found rest and freedom from the strife of tongues, and precious help is provided for every believing child of God.
While Mary sat listening intently to Jesus, Martha was occupied with preparing a meal for the guests and with many household tasks. Martha complained that Mary had left her to handle the household duties alone. Christ told Martha not to be anxious or overtroubled about the common duties of life such as preparation of food and household duties. Then He turned to Mary to tell her of eternal life, the good part she had chosen which shall never be taken from her.
One Thing Needful
The one thing needful is a calm, devotional spirit with a deeper desire for knowledge concerning the future, immortal life and the graces needed for spiritual growth. Mary chose to listen and store what she heard in the mind as a treasure more precious than earthly riches, a lasting good that would not be taken from her. Concern for what endures forever must come before anxiety over passing things, and active religious work is to be grounded in time spent learning from Jesus.
The closing part of Luke 10 beginning at verse 25 shows what to do to inherit eternal life. That way to life is not obtaining wonderful higher education in sophistries and spiritualistic ideas but standing on the solid foundation Christ Himself created by giving His own life for the life of the world, which is to be studied and remembered. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the one great theme worthy of attention, and God's work is one because every branch of it serves that gospel.
The better part is a life lived for God, made possible through grace from heaven. Christ lived this as a sinless example so that people may follow His teaching, obey His lessons, and receive everlasting life. The one thing needful is what souls must be guided to seek. Finding it requires surrendering the heart to God and being cleansed of selfishness, which brings spiritual freedom and the settled faith and sonship of God's children.
Household cares should not trouble the soul or disturb its peace. The one essential thing is to receive Christ's teaching and choose the lasting good of fellowship with Him. Mary's choice shows the lasting value of attending to what is spiritually needful. What she chose at His feet is a good part that cannot be taken from her, and sitting and learning from Him brings eternal realities into everyday life.
Learning at His Feet
Mary chose the lasting good by sitting at Jesus' feet and eagerly receiving His words of instruction to know His doctrines better, while Martha was occupied with preparing a meal and troubled by many tasks. Her attentive listening showed love for her Saviour, the one needful thing outweighs many anxieties, and that choice is commendable and can never be taken from her. Attention to spiritual interests and the words of Jesus must not be displaced by the cares and duties of this life.
Listening to Christ's instruction is more important than becoming absorbed in even well-meant practical service. Attending to His words deepens understanding and makes obedience easier.
Choosing the better part is sitting at the feet of Jesus to learn from the divine Teacher by studying and meditating on the word of God. It means receiving and treasuring His sacred instruction in the heart and then practicing it in daily life. This turns the mind from what is impure and untrue, and meditation on holy things refines the mind and character and strengthens resistance to temptation.
Those who so choose direct the mind to what inspires pure, holy thought and divert it from what is impure and untrue. They gain firm, decided will-power in life and character and are kept from being easily led into temptation and sin. Received, believed, and obeyed, the truths thus chosen uplift mind and soul, quicken the physical, mental, and spiritual powers, and give inward rectitude and strength of principle to resist temptation. Few make this choice, and neglect of sacred instruction leaves youth and even those of mature years easily led into temptation and sin.
Learning from Him is especially learning meekness and lowliness of heart and mind. It means dying to self, subduing earth-born ambition, and having the life hidden with Christ in God, a choice that cannot be taken away and is needed rather than reliance on one's own talents or on another fallible human guide. This humble, teachable spirit of a learner in Christ's school stands opposed to a driving, censorious, dictatorial spirit that is offensive to God, and to seeking to be a teacher without first learning. The Holy Spirit enables believers to overcome and so to learn Christ's meekness and lowliness.
Mary's choice is learning at the feet of Jesus by feeding on Christ through reading and studying His Word, drinking in the inspiration of His Spirit, and receiving His grace not to hoard but to give to others. Even those in every church who are intensely busy in religious activities and do much good, and even the most zealous workers, also need Mary's side of the character. Those who are ready to serve and instruct others must first be learners of Christ, and workers need to learn at His footstool.
Like Mary, believers are to sit at His feet to learn of Him, and like Martha they are to be ever abounding in the work of the Lord. What is gained by learning from Him will never be taken away. The higher Christian attainments can be reached only by being much on the knees in sincere prayer, with hands and heart and whole being devoted to the work.
Many trifling, nerve-taxing tasks that fill the hands should be left undone in order to sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary and learn from Him who is meek and lowly in heart. That choice brings rest to the soul and brings thoughts, words, and actions under the principles of the law of God into subjection and obedience to Jesus Christ. It keeps life from being separated from God and robbing Him of entrusted talents, while neglecting it produces numerous difficulties in life and work that would otherwise be avoided.
The good part is to sit and learn whenever opportunity is given, listening with interest to precious instruction and prizing it enough to make sacrifice to obtain the light God would shed on the pathway. It is mixing what is heard with faith and appropriating its truths to the soul as bread and water of life by hearing and searching His Word and then letting the Word enter life and character through obedience. This brings rich blessings, advancement, and a more perfect knowledge of the way of life that remains, while failure leaves hearing unprofitable and the soul behind what it might have been.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning His lessons keeps conscience true. Such a person will not prevaricate, falsify, come to terms with falsehood, or sacrifice conscience for money, advantage, or to be thought greatest, but separates honor from dishonest assemblies.
Those who preach God's word lose what they might have when they do not learn from Jesus.
Sitting at Jesus' feet as Mary did is the needful, good choice of learning daily lessons in Christ's school, gaining deeper piety and a stronger hold from above, and living with an eye single to the glory of God. A life spared by God is to be devoted to His service, with the precious hours of probation not spent frivolously, not used for self-pleasing, and not become self-absorbed. At the same time responsibility in bearing burdens is not to be shunned, since everyone has work to do for the Master.
What Mary chose is learning of Jesus as the very best portion to have in this life. It comes through the converting power of God on the soul by sinking self entirely in the will of God instead of holding self unsurrendered and carrying the burden of self and others in one's own hands. It requires giving eternal realities solemn, sacred importance for one's eternal interest instead of putting the common and the sacred on a level.
Choosing the good part is choosing to work with Christ with settled principles and aims, joined to living as an overcomer and seeking the crown of life.
Devotion Joined with Service
The verse does not set aside faithful work; energetic service belongs together with devotion and the pursuit of Christian character, not crowded out by unnecessary cares. Present duties are still to be faithfully done, yet every opportunity is to be used to gain the knowledge that makes wise unto salvation, since Martha's many cares for earthly duties were not as important as seeking the heavenly things that affect eternal welfare. The needful thing is a calm, devotional spirit and a deeper desire to learn about the future immortal life and the graces that advance spiritual growth, a heavenly concern of lasting value unlike earthly things that pass away.
The better part is a devotional, godly character that is to be joined with Martha's prompt and decisive qualities, for Christian character must not be neglected for business matters or unnecessary cares. Christian service must blend Martha's willingness to minister with Mary's sincere love for the truth, and both attributes belong in all who work for Christ. Self and selfishness are to be put out of sight, with the mind taken from self and personal convenience and centered on Christ in earnest, prudent, warm-hearted, tender, persevering, principled labor, speaking words of truth and praying with people for the conversion of souls.
Mary at Jesus' feet was humble, devoted, and learning from Him, and her example is joined with Martha's active service: Christians are to learn from Jesus while watching for opportunities to do good to others, and this way of life prepares them for the better life. Martha-like active workers and Mary-like devoted learners each have individual work appointed by God. Doing good work for Christ requires first learning the precious lesson of meekness, bearing Christ's name in daily watchful prayer, walking as He walked in His Spirit, and daily purifying the life from what brings spiritual weakness and dishonor to God, so that a well-ordered life and godly conversation honors the truth and reveals His power and grace.
Choosing It Today
The tenth chapter sets before God's people a serious work that enlists the whole being, heart, mind, soul, and strength in His service. That labor is not to be confined to believers but is to become acquainted with unbelievers, placing truth before those who are living up to all the light they have. It is to reach precious souls in the cities to bring them into fellowship with the saints, for loving God with all the heart means loving those for whom He gave His only begotten Son who died to redeem human beings from sin.
Amid household cares and many tasks, the one essential thing must not be neglected, which is seeking God's kingdom and the eternal things God values. Mary's choice illustrates turning from worldly preoccupations to what secures lasting treasure. Using entrusted means for God's work and winning souls brings eternal riches. Knowing God through His great lesson-book, the Bible, is the one thing needful. Education that sets this knowledge aside is not of God, and Bible truths about temperance, righteousness, and judgment to come must not be postponed as though they could wait for a more convenient time.
Sitting at Jesus' feet to learn of Him is true higher education. Those in charge of a school need a living, ever-present Saviour and must make the Bible the foundation by teaching its simplest principles. True higher education is not boasting in science, foreign languages, or anything human, but humbling under God's mighty hand so He lifts up, committing work to Him and doing it in faithfulness, sincerity, truth, and righteousness. That course brings its reward every day with heaven's light, grace, and salvation revealed. People know so little of Jesus Christ that they only dimly comprehend what He will do for them, yet God desires them first to practice Christianity in their own language and bring godliness into life so speech can be used with converting power to convert souls.
The one thing needful is spiritual food, the bread of heaven, truth and the warning message that brings salvation of souls. Work that feeds people wholesome physical food to recommend health reform must also give this spiritual food with tact, skill, and ingenuity to remove prejudice, let truth shine, and sow seeds of truth in souls who otherwise would know nothing of the message. To serve many meals of temporal food only and then tell triumphantly how many were served without giving the one thing needful is not serving the Lord as He requires. The one thing needful is the Lord's commands, which must not be pushed into the background or treated as secondary. Choosing what honors God means keeping the Sabbath holy and allowing helpers its privileges rather than requiring them to serve the public.
The one thing needful applies also to the one thing lacking in the young man Jesus addressed, which is answering God's claims and accepting salvation. Good moral character does not make up for neglecting salvation. Therefore a believer should not marry an unbeliever.
While Mary sat listening intently to Jesus in the home at Bethany, Martha was occupied with preparing a meal and many household tasks and complained that she was left to serve alone, and He answered that anxiety over common duties must not crowd out attention to eternal life. The one thing needful is a calm, devotional spirit that puts concern for what endures forever before anxiety over passing things, seeking knowledge of the immortal life and the graces needed for spiritual growth as a treasure more precious than earthly riches. Choosing that good part means sitting at His feet to eagerly hear His teaching, studying the word of God and meditating on it, receiving it into the heart and practicing it in daily life. This does not reject faithful work, for energetic service is still to be done, but Martha's willingness to minister is to be blended with Mary's sincere love for the truth in earnest, prudent and persevering labor for souls. What is so gained is a life lived for God through grace from heaven, bringing rest to the soul, strength of principle to resist temptation, and everlasting life that shall not be taken away.
Story at Bethany
The saying stands in the closing part of Luke 10, in the section beginning at verse 25 that sets forth what must be done to inherit eternal life. That way to life is not the gaining of a wonderful higher education in sophistries and spiritualistic ideas but standing on the solid foundation Christ Himself created by giving His own life for the life of the world, a foundation to be studied and remembered.
It was spoken during a visit to Bethany, in the quiet and welcoming home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. There was an atmosphere of faith and love, and there were listeners who received His teaching and treasured it. His private instruction there blessed those who listened attentively.
That home was a quiet resting place where He found rest and freedom from the strife of tongues. Around Him were the conjectures, prejudices, criticism, and accusations of priests and rulers. Divinity veiled in humanity and bearing heaven's clear credentials, He moved among men and suffered in man's behalf, with the necessities and woes of the human race pressing upon Him. Though not dependent on human sympathy, He did not check or repulse it. In that home there was no strife, prejudice, and enmity, and no words to sting and bruise the soul. There He found rest and freedom from the strife of tongues, and precious help is provided for every believing child of God.
While Mary sat listening intently to Jesus, Martha was occupied with preparing a meal for the guests and with many household tasks. Martha complained that Mary had left her to handle the household duties alone. Christ told Martha not to be anxious or overtroubled about the common duties of life such as preparation of food and household duties. Then He turned to Mary to tell her of eternal life, the good part she had chosen which shall never be taken from her.
One Thing Needful
The one thing needful is a calm, devotional spirit with a deeper desire for knowledge concerning the future, immortal life and the graces needed for spiritual growth. Mary chose to listen and store what she heard in the mind as a treasure more precious than earthly riches, a lasting good that would not be taken from her. Concern for what endures forever must come before anxiety over passing things, and active religious work is to be grounded in time spent learning from Jesus.
The closing part of Luke 10 beginning at verse 25 shows what to do to inherit eternal life. That way to life is not obtaining wonderful higher education in sophistries and spiritualistic ideas but standing on the solid foundation Christ Himself created by giving His own life for the life of the world, which is to be studied and remembered. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the one great theme worthy of attention, and God's work is one because every branch of it serves that gospel.
The better part is a life lived for God, made possible through grace from heaven. Christ lived this as a sinless example so that people may follow His teaching, obey His lessons, and receive everlasting life. The one thing needful is what souls must be guided to seek. Finding it requires surrendering the heart to God and being cleansed of selfishness, which brings spiritual freedom and the settled faith and sonship of God's children.
Household cares should not trouble the soul or disturb its peace. The one essential thing is to receive Christ's teaching and choose the lasting good of fellowship with Him. Mary's choice shows the lasting value of attending to what is spiritually needful. What she chose at His feet is a good part that cannot be taken from her, and sitting and learning from Him brings eternal realities into everyday life.
Learning at His Feet
Mary chose the lasting good by sitting at Jesus' feet and eagerly receiving His words of instruction to know His doctrines better, while Martha was occupied with preparing a meal and troubled by many tasks. Her attentive listening showed love for her Saviour, the one needful thing outweighs many anxieties, and that choice is commendable and can never be taken from her. Attention to spiritual interests and the words of Jesus must not be displaced by the cares and duties of this life.
Listening to Christ's instruction is more important than becoming absorbed in even well-meant practical service. Attending to His words deepens understanding and makes obedience easier.
Choosing the better part is sitting at the feet of Jesus to learn from the divine Teacher by studying and meditating on the word of God. It means receiving and treasuring His sacred instruction in the heart and then practicing it in daily life. This turns the mind from what is impure and untrue, and meditation on holy things refines the mind and character and strengthens resistance to temptation.
Those who so choose direct the mind to what inspires pure, holy thought and divert it from what is impure and untrue. They gain firm, decided will-power in life and character and are kept from being easily led into temptation and sin. Received, believed, and obeyed, the truths thus chosen uplift mind and soul, quicken the physical, mental, and spiritual powers, and give inward rectitude and strength of principle to resist temptation. Few make this choice, and neglect of sacred instruction leaves youth and even those of mature years easily led into temptation and sin.
Learning from Him is especially learning meekness and lowliness of heart and mind. It means dying to self, subduing earth-born ambition, and having the life hidden with Christ in God, a choice that cannot be taken away and is needed rather than reliance on one's own talents or on another fallible human guide. This humble, teachable spirit of a learner in Christ's school stands opposed to a driving, censorious, dictatorial spirit that is offensive to God, and to seeking to be a teacher without first learning. The Holy Spirit enables believers to overcome and so to learn Christ's meekness and lowliness.
Mary's choice is learning at the feet of Jesus by feeding on Christ through reading and studying His Word, drinking in the inspiration of His Spirit, and receiving His grace not to hoard but to give to others. Even those in every church who are intensely busy in religious activities and do much good, and even the most zealous workers, also need Mary's side of the character. Those who are ready to serve and instruct others must first be learners of Christ, and workers need to learn at His footstool.
Like Mary, believers are to sit at His feet to learn of Him, and like Martha they are to be ever abounding in the work of the Lord. What is gained by learning from Him will never be taken away. The higher Christian attainments can be reached only by being much on the knees in sincere prayer, with hands and heart and whole being devoted to the work.
Many trifling, nerve-taxing tasks that fill the hands should be left undone in order to sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary and learn from Him who is meek and lowly in heart. That choice brings rest to the soul and brings thoughts, words, and actions under the principles of the law of God into subjection and obedience to Jesus Christ. It keeps life from being separated from God and robbing Him of entrusted talents, while neglecting it produces numerous difficulties in life and work that would otherwise be avoided.
The good part is to sit and learn whenever opportunity is given, listening with interest to precious instruction and prizing it enough to make sacrifice to obtain the light God would shed on the pathway. It is mixing what is heard with faith and appropriating its truths to the soul as bread and water of life by hearing and searching His Word and then letting the Word enter life and character through obedience. This brings rich blessings, advancement, and a more perfect knowledge of the way of life that remains, while failure leaves hearing unprofitable and the soul behind what it might have been.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning His lessons keeps conscience true. Such a person will not prevaricate, falsify, come to terms with falsehood, or sacrifice conscience for money, advantage, or to be thought greatest, but separates honor from dishonest assemblies.
Those who preach God's word lose what they might have when they do not learn from Jesus.
Sitting at Jesus' feet as Mary did is the needful, good choice of learning daily lessons in Christ's school, gaining deeper piety and a stronger hold from above, and living with an eye single to the glory of God. A life spared by God is to be devoted to His service, with the precious hours of probation not spent frivolously, not used for self-pleasing, and not become self-absorbed. At the same time responsibility in bearing burdens is not to be shunned, since everyone has work to do for the Master.
What Mary chose is learning of Jesus as the very best portion to have in this life. It comes through the converting power of God on the soul by sinking self entirely in the will of God instead of holding self unsurrendered and carrying the burden of self and others in one's own hands. It requires giving eternal realities solemn, sacred importance for one's eternal interest instead of putting the common and the sacred on a level.
Choosing the good part is choosing to work with Christ with settled principles and aims, joined to living as an overcomer and seeking the crown of life.
Devotion Joined with Service
The verse does not set aside faithful work; energetic service belongs together with devotion and the pursuit of Christian character, not crowded out by unnecessary cares. Present duties are still to be faithfully done, yet every opportunity is to be used to gain the knowledge that makes wise unto salvation, since Martha's many cares for earthly duties were not as important as seeking the heavenly things that affect eternal welfare. The needful thing is a calm, devotional spirit and a deeper desire to learn about the future immortal life and the graces that advance spiritual growth, a heavenly concern of lasting value unlike earthly things that pass away.
The better part is a devotional, godly character that is to be joined with Martha's prompt and decisive qualities, for Christian character must not be neglected for business matters or unnecessary cares. Christian service must blend Martha's willingness to minister with Mary's sincere love for the truth, and both attributes belong in all who work for Christ. Self and selfishness are to be put out of sight, with the mind taken from self and personal convenience and centered on Christ in earnest, prudent, warm-hearted, tender, persevering, principled labor, speaking words of truth and praying with people for the conversion of souls.
Mary at Jesus' feet was humble, devoted, and learning from Him, and her example is joined with Martha's active service: Christians are to learn from Jesus while watching for opportunities to do good to others, and this way of life prepares them for the better life. Martha-like active workers and Mary-like devoted learners each have individual work appointed by God. Doing good work for Christ requires first learning the precious lesson of meekness, bearing Christ's name in daily watchful prayer, walking as He walked in His Spirit, and daily purifying the life from what brings spiritual weakness and dishonor to God, so that a well-ordered life and godly conversation honors the truth and reveals His power and grace.
Choosing It Today
The tenth chapter sets before God's people a serious work that enlists the whole being, heart, mind, soul, and strength in His service. That labor is not to be confined to believers but is to become acquainted with unbelievers, placing truth before those who are living up to all the light they have. It is to reach precious souls in the cities to bring them into fellowship with the saints, for loving God with all the heart means loving those for whom He gave His only begotten Son who died to redeem human beings from sin.
Amid household cares and many tasks, the one essential thing must not be neglected, which is seeking God's kingdom and the eternal things God values. Mary's choice illustrates turning from worldly preoccupations to what secures lasting treasure. Using entrusted means for God's work and winning souls brings eternal riches. Knowing God through His great lesson-book, the Bible, is the one thing needful. Education that sets this knowledge aside is not of God, and Bible truths about temperance, righteousness, and judgment to come must not be postponed as though they could wait for a more convenient time.
Sitting at Jesus' feet to learn of Him is true higher education. Those in charge of a school need a living, ever-present Saviour and must make the Bible the foundation by teaching its simplest principles. True higher education is not boasting in science, foreign languages, or anything human, but humbling under God's mighty hand so He lifts up, committing work to Him and doing it in faithfulness, sincerity, truth, and righteousness. That course brings its reward every day with heaven's light, grace, and salvation revealed. People know so little of Jesus Christ that they only dimly comprehend what He will do for them, yet God desires them first to practice Christianity in their own language and bring godliness into life so speech can be used with converting power to convert souls.
The one thing needful is spiritual food, the bread of heaven, truth and the warning message that brings salvation of souls. Work that feeds people wholesome physical food to recommend health reform must also give this spiritual food with tact, skill, and ingenuity to remove prejudice, let truth shine, and sow seeds of truth in souls who otherwise would know nothing of the message. To serve many meals of temporal food only and then tell triumphantly how many were served without giving the one thing needful is not serving the Lord as He requires. The one thing needful is the Lord's commands, which must not be pushed into the background or treated as secondary. Choosing what honors God means keeping the Sabbath holy and allowing helpers its privileges rather than requiring them to serve the public.
The one thing needful applies also to the one thing lacking in the young man Jesus addressed, which is answering God's claims and accepting salvation. Good moral character does not make up for neglecting salvation. Therefore a believer should not marry an unbeliever.