1. He lays down a general position respecting the
care of the soul —
[The care of the soul, by whatever terms we describe it, is justly called " the one thing needful." Were we indeed to judge by the conduct of the world at large, we should rather call it, ' the one thing needless ;' since every pursuit, however trifling, is preferred before it. But there is nothing of such value as the soul ; the whole world, in comparison of it, is a mere vanity. Nor is there any difference in this respect be- tween the rich and the poor : the souls of all are of equal value in the sight of God ; all are equally concerned to secure eternal happiness. There is no situation where an attention to our spiritual interests can be dispensed with ; no situation wherein the concerns of eternity should not be uppermost in our minds. Other things may be desirable ; but the care of the soul is needful, absolutely, universally, and indispensably needful.]
2. He applies that position to the present occasion — [He first applies it in a way of reproof. Though he loved Martha, he would not forbear to reprove in her what he saw amiss. He tells her, that she was acting in direct opposition to this obvious and established truth ; and that her distraction of mind, arising from " many things," argued an unmindfulness about " one thing," which was of more importance than all other things together. But, though he reproved her, he was far from shewing even that severity which her petulance deserved. He spoke with a tenderness well calculated to conciliate her esteem, and with an earnestness fitted to impress her mind with the importance of the subject3.
Happy would it be for us, if when we are too deeply involved in worldly cares, we would call to mind this salutary reproof, and consider it as addressed immediately to ourselves.
Next our Lord applies this position in a ivay of approba- tion. The part which Mary had chosen is called by him, " that good part." Now what was it that Mary had done ? She had been sitting at the feet of Jesus, and listening with delight to his instructive conversation. She had, in short, been more occupied about the welfare of her soul than about a vain parade of courtesy and compliment. This might well be called a "good part:" it was good in the estimation of Jesus, and must be so in the opinion of all who judge according to truth. People indeed, when in the midst of gaiety and dissipation, ridicule it as absurd : but did ever any man that had chosen this good part find reason to condemn it ? Can we conceive of any pious man on his death-bed, cautioning his surviving
a Observe the repetition, Martha, Martha : see others of a similar nature, Luke xiii. 34. and xxii. 81.