An Overview Of Only One Thing Is Necessary /Needful
In Luke 10:42, the statement that only one thing is necessary or needful, made by Jesus Christ to Martha, has thrown many people, who miss its meaning, into confusion. This article will explain this statement to you.
When And Where Jesus Christ Said Only One Thing Is Necessary
Jesus Christ visited Martha at her home. Following, this visit, she started a series of preparations aimed at entertaining him. While, she was making those preparations, her sister, Mary, was sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to what he was teaching.
When Martha saw her sister, Mary, listening to Jesus instead helping her with her preparations, she complained to Jesus and requested that he instruct Mary to help her.
However, in a surprising reply, Jesus told Martha that she was worried about many things when only one thing is necessary.
What Does Only One Thing Is Necessary Mean?
Does the statement “only one thing is necessary” mean that nothing else has ever been, is or will ever be necessary? And, by the way, what was that only one thing that Jesus said was necessary?
By telling Martha that only one thing is necessary, Jesus does not mean that nothing else has ever been, is or will ever be necessary. He was not against Martha’s effort to entertain him. He meant that preparations for his entertainment, though good, was not the necessary thing to do at that moment.
Remember that, when Martha complained and requested that Jesus ask Mary to help her, neither Jesus nor Mary was idle. Jesus was busy teaching while Mary, too, was busy listening.
Therefore, the only one thing that was necessary at that moment, was to listen to his teaching just as Mary did. This was why Jesus said that Mary made a right choice.
The Summary Of Only One Thing Is Necessary
By stating that only one thing is necessary, which was listening to his teaching, Jesus Christ was not classifying all other things as unnecessary, whether in the past, present or future. In fact, the Bible commands us to welcome and entertain people, even strangers. The problem was that Martha’s action, though necessary, in reality, was rendered unnecessary by the wrong timing. It was not the time for that. It was time to listen to Jesus’ teaching. Every necessary thing when ill-timed can be rendered unnecessary by the wrong timing.
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