Every habitual Bible reader is familiar with the circumstances that gave rise to this commendation of Many by Christ. Rather than cumbering herself with much serving as her sister Martha was doing, Mary chose rather to sit at the feet of Jesus hearing His word. She put the spiritual ahead of the material, and in this she was an example that all God's people would do well to follow. The concerns of the soul should always take precedence over the concerns of the flesh, and an opportunity to feast the soul on the word of Christ should always be preferred over feasting the belly on the fruit of the ground. 

    Serving guests, like many other things, has its place, and is needful in that place, but when it conflicts with an opportunity to further our knowledge of Christ it wll require a choice on our part. In choosing to be at the feet of Jesus, learning of Him, Mary did not neglect any pressing duty. She simply had her priorities straight, and rather than rebuking her Christ said she had chosen that good part which would not be taken away from her. Any time we are at the feet of Jesus hearing His word we stand to gain knowledge that may prove valuable to us in many circumstances throughout the remainder of our lives. If such an opportunity is missed or passed up who can say how great a loss it may constitute? 

    If I should be asked to give my opinion as to what Christ meant when He said, "One thing is needful," I would say it is that we should put first things first, and in the case before us that is what Mary did. In so doing she chose that "good part" which was never taken away from her. I am sure this was one thing she never regretted, for she carried precious memories of it to her grave. 

    May the Lord give grace and wisdom that we may always choose that good part. We will never be the losers for having done so.