One Thing is Needful...

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.--Luke 10:38-42

Question:  What does Jesus say is the one thing that is needed?  What does Jesus describe as the good part?  The part which shall not be taken away?

Answer:  Sitting at His feet (abiding) and hearing His word with a heart that desires Him above all because He is what is needed.

The one thing that is needed brings salvation:

Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.--James 1:21

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.--Romans 10:17

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:--Romans 5:1

The one thing that is needed brings peace:

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.--Isaiah 26:3

For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.--Romans 8:6

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:--Romans 5:1


The one thing that is needed brings a desire for the things above and an indifference to the things of the world:

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.--Colossians 3:1-3

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.--Matthew 5:6

 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.--John 6:27

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.--Psalm 73:25-26

The one thing that is needed bears fruit unto our God:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.--John 15:4-5


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.--Galatians 5:22-23

The one thing that is needed is made manifest in our devotion and obedience to God:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.--Deuteronomy 6:5

But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.--Joshua 22:5

And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:--1 Kings 8:23

But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.--Psalm 1:2

 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.--Psalm 51:6

The one thing that is needed brings us into His Presence and to fulness of joy...it gives us Jesus Himself. 

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.--Psalm 16:11

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.--Ephesians 3:19

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And ye are complete in him, --Colossians 2:9-10


Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.--Psalm 73:23-24

The desire for the one thing that is needed is produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit in a believers' heart.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.--John 14:16-17

That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.--Romans 8:4