Luke x. 42. One thing is needful.
HERE we are introduced, as it were, into the bosom of a holy family ; and hear, in part at least, the instructions given to them : " One thing is need- ful." Let us now suppose that we ourselves are that
family ; and that, in the place of our blessed Lord, I am called to instruct you. My subject shall be, that " One thing is needful :" and whilst I deliver that truth, so necessary to be received by you, I would deliver it as myself feeling its importance, and declare it with all the fidelity that such a subject demands.
Let me then, I. Shew what this one thing needful is —
In general terms, it may be called, The care of the soul. But, that we may have the precise view of it which was conveyed at that time, I will speak of it,
1. Simply —
[Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to his instructions. This was the thing complained of by Martha, and the thing applauded by our blessed Lord. Now, this is the one thing needful for you also. True, you cannot have the same access to him that Mary had : but he speaks to you in the written word, and through the ministration of his ser- vants. What, then, should you do in relation to the written word ? You should sit at the feet of Jesus there, from day to day, and ponder every truth that is there recorded. If you read, " I am the way, the truth, and the life ; no man cometh unto the Father but by me ;" you should instantly determine, through grace, to come to God by Christ, and to make him all your life and your salvation. Do you read that you are " not to live henceforth unto yourselves, but unto Him who died for you and rose again ;" you should determine, through grace, to devote yourselves altogether to the service of your Lord, and to live for him alone. In like manner, when you attend upon the ministry of the word, you should " hear it, not as the word of man, but, as it is in truth, the word of God." You should come in the very spirit of Mary, and sit as in the very spirit of Mary, and hear as in the spirit of Mary ; not from curiosity, not in a cavilling spirit, not to perform a customary duty, but to get instruction for your souls. Your whole soul should be swallowed up, as it were, in the subject proposed for your con- sideration ; and every word that is spoken should be treasured up in your heart for the regulation of your faith and practice. This attention to the interests of your soul should be the one employment of your minds from day to day.]
2. In a way of contrast —
[The one thing needful is not- contrasted with vice of any kind. The man who indulges in any evil course is far enough from the one thing needful : he goes in the high road to per- dition, without so much as dreaming of the one thing needful.