Luke 10:42 (KJV) “But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
This statement of Jesus comes at the close of His interaction with Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38–42). Martha was busy serving, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to His word. Martha complained to Jesus that her sister Mary, hath left me to serve alone (Luke 10:40). The Lord answered, "Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things (Luke 10:41; CEV). Then, Jesus said, “one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part...” In this statement, Jesus was not condemning service. Service itself is good, necessary, and biblical. The issue was not what Martha was doing, but what her service had displaced. The Bible says, “Martha was distracted because of much serving ...” (Luke 10:40; AFV). Martha’s service had become a source of distraction to her, and it had produced anxiety and resentment. The point here is that Martha’s service, while Jesus was teaching, was a misplaced priority. She had replaced listening to the Lord Jesus with labour for Christ. Jesus is saying, in effect: “Martha, your service matters but it must not crowd out what matters most.”
Now, in today’s Scriptural text, Jesus points out that many things can demand our attention, but only one thing is truly necessary: intimate fellowship with Him and attentiveness to His word. This echoes the theme of first things first. Now, Mary chose to do first things first, that is, learning at the feet of Jesus; she valued spiritual nourishment above physical activity, and a lasting inheritance above a temporary task. Service can end, roles can change, and activities can cease, but time spent with Christ produces eternal fruit. What Mary gained (revelation, relationship, transformation) was permanent. We must never allow activity to replace intimacy with God. Service for Christ must never surpass being with Christ. Our devotion to God must precede our duty for Him. Service to God must flow from fellowship with God. Therefore, the divine order is: Being with Christ Jesus – Receiving His Word – Service from overflow of His presence.
Written by: Andrew A. Esemudje