Devotional: Is It Necessary?

Luke 10:38-42 Luke 10 begins with Jesus sending out seventy persons to the cities to announce His coming. He gave them instructions for their journey. The seventy returned happy because they had been successful in carrying out their mission. After their return a young lawyer tested Jesus by asking Him what is necessary for him to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to love his neighbor. The man asked Jesus who was his neighbor. Jesus explained to the man who his neighbor is by telling the story of the Good Samaritan (vv. 30-37). Luke continues this thought by telling the occasion of a woman named Martha who invited Jesus and His disciples to dinner. As Martha prepared the dinner, she observed that her sister Mary was sitting with the men as they listened to Jesus teaching. Martha thought that Mary should observe the traditions by helping her with the meal preparations while the men talked together. Jesus tells her that doing good things is not necessary to have a relationship with Him. A relationship with Jesus is accomplished by being in His presence, hearing and obeying His words. Doing good things is not necessary for salvation. Jesus is the necessary thing. Lord Jesus we are thankful that knowing you is the only thing necessary for our salvation. We could never pay you for your sacrifice on the cross for our sin. So, we accept you as the only necessary payment for God to forgive our sins and welcome us into the kingdom of heaven. Amen.