Some of you might recognize this scene from the movie “City Slickers.” The movie is about three long time friends. Facing middle age, they find themselves losing focus in their lives and they are struggling in their careers and marriages. So the friends decide to go to break away from the madness of their life. They decide to go to a dude ranch where they sign up as “cowboys” and help move a herd of cattle.

Of course the men are hoping that their experience out on the open range, will reignite a fire in their lives and help them get their heads back in order. In the scene that we just watched, Billy Crystal is riding with Curley an old seasoned cowboy. As they talk, Curley suggests that the secret of life is found in just one thing. As you noticed, he doesn’t tell Crystal what that one thing is, and so for the rest of the movie Crystal tries to figure it out.

What is that one thing? Is it money? Is it power? Is it material possessions? George Steinbrenner died this past week. Here was a guy who seemingly had it all. I wonder if he figured out what that one thing was?

Psychologists tell us that we need don’t need one thing, but a variety of things to find fulfillment in life. We need authentic relationships and diverse experiences, a sense of worth and love and security to meet all our emotional needs. And for the most part I believe that psychologists are correct we do need a variety of things to enjoy life. But what is true for our emotional needs is not necessarily true for our spiritual needs. Spiritually I believe our soul needs only one thing to blossom and grow. No matter what your denominational background, no matter what your spiritual temperament is, whether your soul craves big church or small church, traditional music or contemporary music, whether your into ritual or not bottom line spiritually as people we need only one thing.

And that one thing is Jesus. When it comes to our spiritual needs all you and I really need is Jesus, a close daily walk with him.

And that is what Luke wants us to notice in our scripture lesson for this morning. Jesus is in the home of two sisters; Martha and Mary. It was actually quite risqué for Jesus to be in their home. Women were not to entertain single men in their home, but despite that fact they opened their door to Jesus and ushered him inside. I’m sure the tabloids had a field day with this nugget of gossip.

Now as Jesus sits in their living room we see that Martha is caught up in being a good host. She’s preparing a little snack and making some coffee, and making sure that Jesus is comfortable. But while she’s being hospitable her sister Mary is just sitting on her butt and gabbing.

Mary’s not interested in making sure the coffee is brewing, she’s not interested in getting out a little snack, no for Mary all that matters is time with Jesus. Now as Mary talks, Martha is growing frustrated by her sister’s apparent laziness. So Martha politely interrupts the conversation suggesting that she could use her sisters help, and it’s at this point that Jesus looks at Martha and says, “Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed, did you hear that? One thing is needed Mary has chosen what’s better.”

One thing, well it’s obvious what that one thing was. It was Jesus. Mary chose to spend time with Jesus while Martha chose hospitality.

Now hospitality is good and has its place in life, and thank God for the Martha’s of this world, but if your faced with a choice, between talking to Jesus or brewing coffee for Jesus, what Luke wants us to see is that we should always choose Jesus, because Jesus is that one thing that brings meaning to life.

“Our one thing” should be Jesus. But is it? For many people Jesus doesn’t even make their list. That one thing for them is the summer home, or the membership at the country club. For others it’s the grandkids, or that HD TV and its u-verse programming. For some it’s managing that stock portfolio through these troubled times, are moving ahead in their career. Yes for many that one thing in their lives is certainly not Jesus. So what is that one thing for you? Luke wants us to see that Jesus should be our one thing. Jesus should be the focal point in our lives, and he should be our daily companion. He should be at the center of our lives.

Now if Jesus is “our one thing” then not only will he be central to our lives should also be the central to our conversations.

One day as a family rode home from church, the parents asked their son how his first day in Sunday school went. Oh it went well said the child. Did you like your teacher asked the mom? Yep the son said. What was her name asked the mom? Well, said the son, I don’t remember her name but I think she was Jesus’ grandmother. Why would you think that, said the mom? Well said the son all she did was hold up a picture of Jesus and brag on him. Now it seems to me that if Jesus is “our one thing” then like that Sunday school teacher, we should not only be focusing on him everyday but we should also be bragging on him everyday. When was the last time you bragged on Jesus? When was the last time you even talked to someone about Jesus? If you are like many, it’s probably been awhile. We don’t have any problems talking to others about the weather, or sports or the latest movie that we’ve seen. We don’t have any problems talking to our co-workers about our kids or grandkids. We’d gladly talk to others about the restaurant with the great fish fry, or our latest shopping trip where everything we bought was 50% off, or our latest fishing outing where we limited out on walleye. Yes most of us are pretty good talkers but when it comes to talking about Jesus we just clam up and that’s a shame. You see right now there are people that you know who would welcome a conversation with you about Jesus. They are not going to bring that up but if you did they would gladly listen. There are people where you work, people in your extended families, people in your apartment complex that know you go to church and know that you are try to live a life of faith, and they are just waiting to ask you questions about your church or your relationship with Jesus, because they are interested. But because you never talk about Jesus or your faith, those conversations never happen. My friends, we are called to make disciples. It’s right there on the cover of our bulletin. We are called to teach, practice and encourage discipleship. Now I don’t think you can make disciples if you are unwilling to talk about Jesus. But if Jesus is your “one thing,” then talking about him will be no problem. For when we are centered on Christ, Christ will be central to our conversations. So take some risks my friends, and start opening up about your faith and your walk with Jesus. Don’t be afraid to brag on Jesus once in awhile. Give an invitation to come to church and share a story where God answered your prayer. Let the word Jesus come out of your mouth once in awhile, in a positive way rather then an expression of anger. Some are going to listen with deep interest when you talk about Jesus and some because they listened will sooner or later come to believe. Luke tells us that Jesus went into the home of Martha and Mary. He went there because he cared for them. He went there because he wanted to spend time with them. Mary sat at his feet and gave him her constant attention. Martha on the other hand, chose to brew coffee. Luke tells us that Jesus looked at Martha and said, “Martha you are troubled over many things but only one thing is needed, Mary has chosen what is better. Mary choose Jesus and that should be our choice as well. So make Jesus your “one thing.” Let Jesus be central in your life and in your conversations. For when you choose Jesus you choose what is better.