“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42).
TEXT — Luke 10:38-42
Message
In the words of Jonathan Edwards, one of America’s revivalists of the 18th Century, “The more you have a rational knowledge of divine things, the more the opportunity will there be, when the Spirit shall breathe into your heart, to see the excellencies of these things, and to taste the sweetness of them.” The Lord shows us new things daily as we seek to learn from His words.
Our text gives an account of Jesus’ visit to the house of Martha and Mary. While Martha was preparing to entertain Christ, Mary sat down, listening to His teachings. Unhappy that her sister left her alone to prepare the entertainment for their guest, Martha urged Jesus to send Mary to join her in the service. But Christ reproved Martha for her misplaced priority, saying, “One thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her.” Christ’s statement underscores the priority of God’s Word over worldly pursuit. It points out that worldly business is a snare when it hinders us from listening to God and receiving the things that can enrich our souls.
Satan often tempts us to satisfy our physical needs above the spiritual. But Jesus shows us always to rank the spiritual ahead of the physical. Responding to Satan’s temptation, Jesus quoted the Scriptures that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. In stressing this, Jesus maintained the same principle of putting God’s word above physical needs.
Believers must prioritize divine revelation above all else. While we should not neglect the essential services we render for the benefit of the kingdom of God, we must ensure they do not obstruct our assimilation of His word. It is vital never to put anything above the Scriptures.
Thought for the day
Misplaced priorities often misguide even the strongest believer.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
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