Only One Thing Is Needed – July 22, 2022

Read: Luke 10:38-42

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:41-42

Only One Thing Is Needed

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Having guests over is an exciting adventure, isn’t it? Preparing for guests isn’t so exciting. There are so many things to do to get ready for them. The house must be just right—bedrooms cleaned, floors swept and mopped, dishes washed, laundry washed and put away. Then the groceries need to be purchased, meals planned. Oh yes, it is summer, so the grass needs to be mowed, yard toys picked up. Whew, that’s a lot of work! That’s why it’s important for everyone in the family to chip in and help.

Martha was no different. Her favorite guest was coming over—Jesus! She loved her Lord so much that she wanted everything to be just right for him. She also wanted help from everyone in her family. But listen to what happened: “Martha had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” Martha was busy planning the menu, setting the table, and cooking in the kitchen. And there was Mary… sitting. Martha had enough. “Lord, tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Jesus knew everything that Martha was trying to do for him in her house. Then he gently tells her what she needed to do for him in his kingdom. The food in the oven could wait. So could the Jell-O. Life goes on even if a dinner gets missed in your house. But in his kingdom, life ends when the Word is not listened to. No Word? No faith. No life. You and I would be dead in our sins without the one thing needful.

A Christian without the Word is like a car that runs out of gas. You don’t even realize it until you press the gas pedal and there’s nothing there. But a Christian with the Word never runs on empty when they need it most.

So sit and listen so that you can hear and believe. So you can believe and do. So that you can go and tell. Because now we know that there is one thing needful.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, never take away from us the one thing needed—you. Never leave our homes, but always live with us. Keep our ears listening to your words. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Describe what happens in your house before guests come over.
• What did Mary do to get ready for Jesus?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why was Martha so frustrated with Mary?
• What did Jesus say was Martha’s missing focus?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• If someone in your family is a natural “worrier,” how might you be of help? What words of Jesus might encourage them?
• True or false. God is not interested in how busy you are.