We are in the third and final part of this series while learning from Mary and Martha. One thing to remember is that Mary and Martha are both Christians and they are expressing their love for Jesus in different ways. Martha was trying to serve Jesus but the way she served and her heart in that service was misplaced. She allowed other things to bother her and cause her to worry. She was driven by herself and not by God’s will. Her priorities were her own and not the Lord’s.
“Only one thing is necessary” Jesus defines the essential, as the one thing that is not just better but singularly needed without comparison. Jesus clarifies that one thing is supremely necessary. Now in the church, there is a diversity of believers. Some love studying theology while others don’t like reading but instead prefer serving with their bodies. Unfortunately, many churches prioritize a Martha-style service while ignoring their members’ devotion to holiness and truth like Mary. An emphasis on devotion, holiness, and listening to God’s word is needed in our churches once again.
What is necessary? If someone is sick and dying then they need a doctor (Luke 5:31). What we need most as sinners is Jesus’ word. Mary’s proper view of her own sin resulted in her need for Jesus. She understood whatever manual service she offered was worthless. Only Jesus could help her get away from her depravity and He alone could give her a new life and a new heart. Only Jesus could save her from the wrath of God (Ephesians 2:3). We are all dead in our sins, without hope, joy, or power. Only a guilty judgment and a terrifying punishment of hell waits for the sinner who remains in their sin (Hebrews 9:27). The tragic thing is that all of us as sinners are deceived by our own hardened hearts (Jeremiah 17:9) and under the power of sin (Romans 3:9). Because of sin, our relationship with God is broken, we are enemies of God in need of reconciliation. Eventually, we will fall to our last enemy which is death. Only Jesus can save us from our sins, our deceitful hearts, impending death, and final judgment.
Because Mary knew her situation and how Jesus saved her from despair, she respected and honored Jesus. Her salvation drove her to sit at Jesus’ feet to listen. Martha also knew Jesus saves but tried to serve the Savior in her own way. Mary chose the good part. The knowledge of salvation in her head had also settled in her heart and resulted in devotion. She truly understood the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:35-36) and loved the Lord with all her heart. She had found her treasure and gave up everything else for the good part (Matthew 13:44).
Both Martha and Mary made choices. Martha’s choice is actually easier and better in man’s eyes. Serving is practical and more visible in its impact. It is easier to measure our faithfulness by our service. However, Mary chose devotion, passion, and hunger for God’s word. She chose the good part by faith. It is by faith the Christian listens to God’s word and obeys (Hebrews 11:8).
Attributes of Mary’s faith:
- Faith implies resting. Mary rested in the work of Jesus Christ. In contrast, Martha was working to please Jesus.
- Faith trusts the atoning work of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.
- Faith trusts in Jesus alone. Jesus is the one who declared “It is finished” on the cross and is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8).
- Faith also takes risks. It is bold and adventurous seeking God’s will and trusting in Him to conquer and overcome (Hebrews 11:27). A bold faith finds its source in God’s word (Joshua 1:8).
“Which shall not be taken away from her”.
The true Christian’s possession shall never be taken from him. He alone, of all mankind, shall never be stripped of his inheritance. Kings must one day leave their palaces. Rich men must one day leave their money and lands. They only hold them until they die. But the poorest saint on earth has a treasure of which he will never be deprived. – J. C. Ryle
Out of all the people in this world, it is only the Christians that gain. The unbeliever, no matter how rich or how powerful, will eventually lose everything. For the Christian, we gain Christ and we will have Christ forever. Even in death, the Christian will gain (Philippians 1:19).
How to choose the good part like Mary? Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor. To be more specific, we practice our love of God in corporate worship. Just as God called the people of Israel out from Egypt to worship Him, the church is called on Sundays to worship. The church is the body of Christ and we worship Christ our head. God enjoys true worship. Corporate worship is sitting at the feet of God listening to His word and offering your devotion to Him. The result of true worship is sanctification. The church, brothers and sisters, together in corporate worship is the most important and blessed service. It is the good part. Like the early church, let’s devote ourselves to the apostle’s teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer (Acts 2:42).
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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