5/1/2014 8:18:46 PM
One Thing Necessary
As the eighth graders are getting ready for examination and the public affirmation of their faith, they have questions, what do they really need to know. In fact, that is a common question for anyone who is going to be examined, “what do I need to know?” After all their studying and memorizing and discussing, there is only one thing they really need in life, the most important thing in life, God’s Word.
Jesus taught this lesson to his friend Martha that was getting caught up in the “things” of life and overlooking what was most important.
Luke 10:38-42 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Mary knew the one thing necessary. Mary knew what was most important, to sit at the feet of her Lord and listen to the Word of God. That is the one necessary thing, the most important thing in life, to hear the Word of God; what Jesus has done to save us.
We should ask ourselves, “What is necessary in my life?” We might ask ourselves that question about our ministry, “what is necessary?” There really isn’t a lot that is necessary. The pews aren’t necessary, the contemporary music isn’t necessary, the organ isn’t necessary, the donuts aren’t necessary, the flowers aren’t necessary. In fact, the church building itself isn’t necessary. But we as a congregation have decided that these things are a part of the way we do ministry and we support the use of these things as good, not necessary, but beneficial in the way we invite and enlighten, nurture and encourage, through the one necessary thing, the Word of God.
As a Christian family we support the decisions of the family, whether we deem them necessary or not, remembering that the goal in all that we do is to make sure that the Word, the one thing necessary, is proclaimed to all so they too can have and hold onto that message of salvation.
And that is what our eight graders are learning and preparing to share with you on their examination day and confirmation. Make sure you are there to support them as they direct you, impress upon you, the importance of the one necessary thing, God’s Word.
Keep Christ First!
Pastor Chris Christenson