Nature of the Atonement

[Paidion]

Dseusy,
Sorry i was very busy till the 15th. I'm not really the right person to ask because i'm a work in progress and i have no special insight. However since Mary sought the more needful thing i think we can too.

So what WAS "the more needful" thing, Steve? I read nothing about a "more needful thing". I read "but one thing is needed" (NKJV) I think Jesus was talking about the menu!
Indeed, according to the Westcott/Hort edition of the Greek New Testament, a translation might read "There is need of but a few things, or of one." This is reflected in Rotherham's translation which reads: "Of few things, is there need, or, of one."

When we look at the context, does this not makes sense?

Now it happened as they went that he entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? therefore tell her to help me." (NKJV)

Since Martha was putting on a pretty good meal, she needed help. So she asked the Lord to tell Mary to help her prepare the meal.

And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (NKJV)

What are the "many things" about which Martha was troubled? Was it not about the wide variety of foods that she was preparing? Was she not concerned that, alone, she was going to take too much time to prepare it, and thus not be able to have much time left to spend with the Lord? But Jesus' tells her that it is unnecessary to have so many kinds of food. Only a few food items are needed for the meal, or even just one. Then she too, would have had time to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to Him. Thus she too, would have been able to share in the good part of the visit just as Mary was already doing. But Martha chose to make a fancy meal thus missing out on the good part, whereas Mary chose the good part, listening to Jesus' words.

[steve7150]

So what WAS "the more needful" thing, Steve? I read nothing about a "more needful thing". I read "but one thing is needed" (NKJV) I think Jesus was talking about the menu!
Indeed, according to the Westcott/Hort edition of the Greek New Testament, a translation might read "There is need of but a few things, or of one." This is reflected in Rotherham's translation which reads: "Of few things, is there need, or, of one."

When we look at the context, does this not makes sense?



Paidion,
I stand corrected, you are right that the verse does read "but one thing is needed" and that was the opportunity to be in the presense of Jesus while he was speaking.

[dseusy]

Paidion and Steve7150,

Do you think the few things could be faith, hope, and love and the one that remains (love) is the "or of one"?

When Jesus states one thing is needed, then states that Mary has chosen that better part (which won't be taken from her) could it be that only love is needed? It fulfills the law, satisfies us, and describes God because it is what He is... love.

Then when we consider that love maybe has a couple of parts, what would they be? (since Mary chose the better part of what I'm suggesting is love)

Martha was serving- doing a good work, a lawful work- loving through serving. Mary was seeking God- sitting at His feet, receiving His love.

Could the two parts (maybe there is more- this is just a suggestion) be giving and receiving love? Martha was trying to give love but was worried and upset about many things. Mary was receiving love and this is the better part because we can do nothing apart from Him (we cannot love apart from Him) and:

"In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." 1 John 4:10

God is love and we cannot give love (Him) without Him (love). Thoughts?

[steve7150]

Could the two parts (maybe there is more- this is just a suggestion) be giving and receiving love? Martha was trying to give love but was worried and upset about many things. Mary was receiving love and this is the better part because we can do nothing apart from Him (we cannot love apart from Him) and:







Dseusy,
Interesting thought and a possibility. I have heard the same said about Peter and John , that Peter tried to demonstrate his love whereas John knew how to receive it. John could call himself "the disciple whom Jesus loved" and Mary seemed to understand this too. There may be other possibilities like Mary was receiving his grace or she was "resting in Christ" as a contrast with Martha , but good thought.

[Paidion]

Again, I think the "one or few things" needed referred to items of food needed for dinner. Do you all find that interpretation ludicrous? There are many records in scripture that are straightforward, every day types of statements that do not require spiritualization. I knew one person who spiritualized even Paul's instructions to Timothy to "bring my cloak, and the books and parchments when you come." One local minister friend of mine told me that he once preached a sermon on it.

[dseusy]

Paidion,

Not at all ludicrous, I just thought there was more to what Jesus was saying- Jesus often spoke spiritually but I agree with you that we don't need to over do it, such as in your example. It is interesting that John 6:27 is a cross reference for Jesus' statement here... not that I see cross references as gold, but this is a truth which may apply:

"Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal."