The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1963-01-31
SermOnette
By Area Ministers
c. p. Anderson, Pastor
Deep Greek Baptist Church
ONE THING NEEDEUL

Luxe lO:42, one thlng Is need
full; and Mary hath chosen that
good part, which shall not be
taken away from her"
Mary chose wisely, for she Sc
lected the nouristment of Christ's
teaching - the better part - which
shall not be taken away from her.
In multiplicity of things to
do there must be an elimination
of some things and a choice made
as to what is of primary import
ance. We should plan simple things
at times, in order to take advan-
tage of spiritual opportunities, for
what most of us need is a deepen
ing of religion.
Quiet moments give strength
for working hours A young mother
who was not strong physically
came upon a better way of ac-
complishing her apparently insur-
mountable hosehOld tasks. She
was not equal to going ahead and
doing everything that had to be
done without stopping, but hap
PLY she found out that if she
stopped for a quiet time now and
then she could do far better
days work and would not be near
ly so exhausted at the end of the
day.
Mary had done for Jesus all
that she thought necessary for
comfort and decency; and she
valued her guest enough to de-
sire to get something more out OF
his visit than the mere pleasure
of seeing him eat, or the gratifica-
ton of having him praise her
food. Mary was bent on enjoying
as well as entertaining her guest.
She knew the blessing of the pres
ence of Jesus in the home.
Jeus would have us put the most
needful thing first This is what
Mary did. She was not concentrate
ing on physical food that day Jesus
came to visit in the Bethany home.
She was instead longing for that
spirital nourishment that Jesus
had to offer. In the beatitudes
Jesus said blessed are they that
hunger and thirst after righteous
ness: for they shall be filled"
Mary had this kind of hunger
and thirst and came to under
stand the mind and heart of Jesus,
better perhaps than even the
twelve apostles, who walked with
Jesus from day to day.
Jesus gave people physical food
when it was necessary. He fed
thousands with a simple meal of
bread and fish. In the synagogue
at Capernaum. however, he showed
that the real bread was spiritual
He taught that he was the bread
of life and appealed to them to
feed upon him-upon his word
Jesus in the text is calling us
to simplicity, to freedom. He says
zone thing is needful.' He would
have us put the most important
first. We are reminded of his say
ing. Seek We first the kingdom
of God and his righteousness.
A meal could be prepared at
any time. but the one thing need
full that was of pre-eminent i'm
portance at this time of Jesus
visit was listening to what ne had
to say. Martha was spending 900
much time in the kitchen to the
neglect of communion with the
Lord. The meal had to be served,
but while Jesus was speaking, that
was the primary thing. There are
some things that must come first.
The longer we live the truer
it will appear that one thing is
needful. The nearer we get to
the grave the more we shall feel
it. Many statements have come
from the aged and dying to the
effect that they regretted that they
had not put more time on the
most important thing.
WOULD baun mt
first things first. conc thing is
needful." Our Lord has deeper
purpose than to give a lesson on
simplicity of diet, as some would
suggest. But "One thing is need
full" But that one thing ensures
all, binds ALL sums all, surpasses
all-namely, the knowing, the low
ing and the following of Jesus.
Many things we have, but one
thing we must have, if life is to
be worth while. Many things are
useful, many are important; but
only one is necessary, absolutely
necessary. Mary had chosen it. She
was already sitting at the table of
her Lord in the heavenly world,
partaking at his gracious hand, of
that bread of which he who takes
shall never hunger any more.
The one thing needful does not
rob us of all other interests. In
accepting and following Christ, all