When a new virus hits the planet and goes from being an epidemic to a pandemic, life comes to an abrupt, almost complete stop for millions upon millions of people. Companies begin to shut down and close for the duration while others are considered to be necessary and vital and must therefore remain open keeping millions and millions employed and working: Hospitals, for instance. Clinics. Doctor’s offices. And Walmart. And Big Lots. And Kroger. And Wawa. And Tractor Supply. Of course there are public works and services that are necessary like police, firefighters, water and power, cable. All branches of the military, I suppose. And Lowe’s and Home Depot. Ace Hardware. All are necessary to be open with workers working, serving those of us
who are supposed to be staying home 24/7. Fast food restaurants and other eateries remain open for contact free delivery or curbside pickup or drive-thru. McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Taco Bell are essential. And Domino’s. And Vinny’s Pizzeria. And Bubba’s Shrimp Shack. Believe me, those last two are definitely essential!
Only Essential Workers. What does it mean to be “essential”? How does it feel to be considered “essential”? What about “non- essential”? What about those who have been considered to be essential at other times, but not now? Whenever two people meet or are introduced to one another, names are offered, perhaps a handshake, fist-bump, or whatever we’ll do in the near future following the current pandemic. Some polite exchange usually takes place with a brief question and answer period:

Married? Children? Where are you from? Where do you live? What do you do?
What do you do? What is generally understood from being asked that question is, what job do you have or where do you work, what is your job title or position, etc? What are your responsibilities where you are employed? What. Do. You. Do?
We humans all too often find our identity in what we do instead of who we are. I am a _____________ , a ______________, a ______________ and a __________________. We fill in the blanks with the name of a trade or profession or position or job title. The danger in find our identity in our job is that the job, at some point may end. Or will end. People fall into depression. Sometimes worse. For me, it’s this idea of being

considered “non-essential” during this time when at other times, after a hurricane or some major storm, I am labeled as an essential employee. Being labeled as “non- essential” has led me here. To this message. For me. Probably for many more. Perhaps when we retire or when the kids leave the nest we struggle with no longer being essential because our identity, whole or in part, was found in what we did. (Remember Martha & Mary: Busybody vs Sitting at Jesus’ Feet)
In life there are some things which are essential, some that are necessary and others we can do with or without.
Seven Basic Needs of Human Beings
Food - Water - Shelter -

Clothing - Sleep - Relationship - Novelty -
It was Necessary for Jesus to Suffer.
It was Necessary for Jesus to go through Samaria.
It is Necessary to be born again.
It is Necessary for the Great Tribulation to come.
It is Necessary for wars & rumors of wars; earthquakes & famines; terrors & great signs from heaven.
It is Necessary for us to pursue righteousness, faith, love & peace, with each other from a pure heart.
Luke 24:13-32 Later that Sunday, two of Jesus’ disciples were walking from

Jerusalem to Emmaus, a journey of about seventeen miles. 14–15 They were in the midst of a discussion about all the events of the last few days when Jesus walked up and accompanied them in their journey. 16 They were unaware that it was Jesus walking alongside them, for God prevented them from recognizing him. 17–18 Jesus said to them, “You seem to be in a deep discussion about something. What are you talking about, so sad and gloomy?” They stopped, and the one named Cleopas answered, “Haven’t you heard? Are you the only one in Jerusalem unaware of the things that have happened over the last few days?” 19 Jesus asked, “What things?” “The things about Jesus, the Man from Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a mighty prophet of God who performed miracles and wonders. His words were powerful and he had great favor with God and the people. 20–21 But

three days ago the high priest and the rulers of the people sentenced him to death and had him crucified. We all hoped that he was the one who would redeem and rescue Israel. 22 Early this morning, some of the women informed us of something amazing. 23 They said they went to the tomb and found it empty. They claimed two angels appeared and told them that Jesus is now alive. 24 Some of us went to see for ourselves and found the tomb exactly like the women said. But no one has seen him.” 25 Jesus said to them, “Why are you so thick-headed? Why do you find it so hard to believe every word the prophets have spoken? 26 Wasn’t it necessary for Christ, the Messiah, to experience all these sufferings and then afterward to enter into his glory?” 27 Then he carefully unveiled to them the revelation of himself throughout the Scripture. He started from the beginning

and explained the writings of Moses and all the prophets, showing how they wrote of him and revealed the truth about himself.
28 As they approached the village, Jesus walked on ahead, telling them he was going on to a distant place. 29 They urged him to remain there and pleaded, “Stay with us. It will be dark soon.” So Jesus went with them into the village. 30 Joining them at the table for supper, he took bread and blessed it and broke it, then gave it to them. 31 All at once their eyes were opened and they realized it was Jesus! Then suddenly, in a flash, Jesus vanished from before their eyes! 32 Stunned, they looked at each other and said, “Why didn’t we recognize it was him? Didn’t our hearts burn with the flames of holy passion[g] while we walked beside him? He unveiled for us such profound revelation from the Scriptures!”

From The Passion Translation
Philippians 4:10-13 My heart overflows with joy when I think of how you showed your love to me by your financial support of my ministry. For even though you have so little, you still continue to help me at every opportunity. 11 I’m not telling you this because I’m in need, for I have learned to be satisfied in any circumstance. 12–13 I know what it means to lack, and I know what it means to experience overwhelming abundance. For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty. From The Passion Translation

*** Info regarding the next passage as an example:
After spending time in Jerusalem, speaking at synagogues and dealing with those within the Church who were against them, the apostle and elders thought it a good idea to send Paul & Barnabbas along with some others they chose go to Antioch to minister to the church there and to preach the gospel among the gentiles. Prior to their leaving, they sent a letter to the apostles, elders and people belonging to the churches in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia
Acts 15:28 -29 “For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from things sacrificed to

idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.” From The New American Standard Bible
We are all in need of: faith, justification, circumcision, new birth, revelation, salvation
***Remember that part from Luke where Jesus said it was necessary for him to suffer? Well, that’s not just for him. He also told his disciples that we would suffer as well.
The contrasts between the Kingdoms of Man and the Kingdom of God are myriad. There are things that are necessary unique to each Kingdom yet we as disciples are

caught in the middle of living IN the Kingdoms of Man but being OF the Kingdom of God and the struggle that entails. We may not always be “essential” or “necessary” in the Kingdoms of Man but we are and will forever be “essential” and “necessary” in the Kingdom of God. As we grow and change and become even just an atom-sized bit more like Jesus, one thing that is necessary and promised for us in this life is that we will suffer, as Jesus suffered.
John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you...
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

Acts 14:22 ... strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
One final thought on Essential and Necessary:
There’s a Greek word that used in the Bible. Well, a lot of Greek words, actually. The root “telios” means basically means “complete” and there’s another word which is related to it. The shades of meaning are very important for us today and always. And the definition of that word means “all that which was necessary or essential for completion has been taken.” It’s the word that told all of creation that the suffering of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, had come to an end. Jesus, with his final breath, cried out,

“It is Finished!” That word, in the Greek is “Tetelestai”. Everything that was essential, everything that was necessary to redeem the universe, the creation, the world, us, everything was complete.
We’re not done. We are Essential Workers in the Kingdom of God. Ours is a Necessary position. Part of that position includes suffering. Pain. Struggle. But that’s okay. Jesus said it’s okay.
Definition of Essential
es·sen·tial | i-ˈsen(t)-shəl
Adjective
1: of, relating to, or constituting essence : INHERENT
2a: of the utmost importance : BASIC, INDISPENSABLE, NECESSARY
an essential requirement for admission to college

b: being a substance that is not synthesized by the body in a quantity sufficient for normal health and growth and that must be obtained from the diet
a vegetable oil rich in essential fatty acids — see also ESSENTIAL AMINO ACID — compare NONESSENTIAL sense 2
3: IDIOPATHIC
Noun
1: something basic, ie the essentials of astronomy
2: something necessary, indispensable, or unavoidable
Definition of Necessary
nec·es·sar·y /ˈnesəˌserē/
adjective
1. required to be done, achieved, or present; needed; essential.
"it's not necessary for you to be here"

Similar: obligatory, requisite, required, compulsory, mandatory, imperative, demanded, needed, called for, needful, essential, indispensable, vital, of the essence, incumbent, de rigueur Opposite: unnecessary, nonessential, dispensable
2. determined, existing, or happening by natural laws or predestination; inevitable. "a necessary consequence"
Similar:, inevitable, unavoidable, certain, sure, inescapable, inexorable, ineluctable, fated, destined, predetermined, predestined, preordained
Definition of Need
/nēd/

verb
1. require (something) because it is essential or very important.
"I need help now"
Similar: require, be in need of, stand in need of, have need of, want, be in want of, be crying out for, be desperate for, demand, call for, necessitate, entail, involve, have occasion for/to, lack, be without, be short of, miss, necessary, required, wanted, desired, lacking, called for, essential, requisite, compulsory, obligatory, mandatory
Opposite: optional
2. expressing necessity or obligation. "need I say more?"
Similar: have to, be under an obligation to, be obliged to, be compelled to, be under a compulsion to, have need to
noun

1. circumstances in which something is necessary, or that require some course of action; necessity.
"the basic human need for food"; the basic requirements of life, such as food and warmth.
Similar:
necessity, obligation, requirement, call, demand, exigency
2. a thing that is wanted or required. "his day-to-day needs"
Similar:
requirement, essential, necessity, want, requisite, prerequisite, wish, demand, desideratum
5046. teleios -- having reached its end, IE complete, by ext. ...
... -, IE into a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5046.htm - 8k

teleios: having reached its end, i.e. complete, by ext. perfect
Original Word: τέλειος, α, ον
Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: teleios
Phonetic Spelling: (tel'-i-os)
Definition: having reached its end, complete, perfect
Usage: perfect, (a) complete in all its parts, (b) full grown, of full age, (c) specially of the completeness of Christian character. Cognate: 5046 (an adjective, derived from 5056 , "consummated goal") – (consummated) from going through the necessary stages to reach the goal
Strong's Concordance
teleó: to bring to an end, complete, fulfill Original Word: τελέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: teleó

Phonetic Spelling: (tel-eh'-o) Definition: to bring to an end, complete, fulfill
Usage: (a) I end, finish, (b) I fulfill, accomplish, (c) I pay.
Strong's Concordance
Strong's Concordance (Tetelestai)
5055. teleó: to bring to an end, complete, fulfill
Original Word: τελέω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: teleó
Phonetic Spelling: (tel-eh'-o) Definition: to bring to an end, complete, fulfill
Usage: (a) I end, finish, (b) I fulfill, accomplish, (c) I pay.
HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 5055 teléō (from 5056 /télos, "consummation, completion") – properly, to complete (consummate), i.e. finish (qualitatively) the necessary process – with the results "rolling-over" to the next level (phase) of consummation. See 5056 (telos).
[This root (tel-) means "reaching the end (aim)." It is well-illustrated with the old pirate's telescope, unfolding (extending out) one stage at a time to function at full- strength (capacity effectiveness).]
John 19:30 V-RIM/P-3S
GRK: Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν Τετέλεσται καὶ κλίνας NAS: He said, It is finished! And He bowed KJV: he said, It is finished: and
INT: Jesus he said It has been finished and having bowed
From Strong’s Concordance

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin: from telos
Definition: to bring to an end, complete, fulfill
NASB Translations: accomplished (3), carried (1), carry (1), completed (3), finish (1), finished (11), fulfilled (2), fulfilling (1), keeps (1), pay (2), perfected (1), performed (1).
1. What he said, and we may suppose him to say it with triumph and exultation, Tetelestai—It is finished, a comprehensive word, and a comfortable one. (1.) It is finished, that is, the malice and enmity of his persecutors had now done their worst; when he had received that last indignity in the vinegar they gave him, he said, “This is the last; I am now going out of their reach, where the wicked cease from troubling.”

(2.) It is finished, that is, the counsel and commandment of his Father concerning his sufferings were now fulfilled; it was a determinate counsel, and he took care to see every iota and tittle of it exactly answered, Acts 2:23. He had said, when he entered upon his sufferings, Father, thy will be done; and now he saith with pleasure, It is done. It was his meat and drink to finish his work (John 4:34), and the meat and drink refreshed him, when they gave him gall and vinegar. (3.) It is finished, that is, all the types and prophecies of the Old Testament, which pointed at the sufferings of the Messiah, were accomplished and answered. He speaks as if, now that they had given him the vinegar, he could not bethink himself of any word in the Old Testament that was to be fulfilled between him and his death but it had its accomplishment; such as, his being sold for thirty pieces of silver,

his hands and feet being pierced, his garments divided, etc.; and now that this is done. It is finished. (4.) It is finished, that is, the ceremonial law is abolished, and a period put to the obligation of it. The substance is now come, and all the shadows are done away. Just now the veil is rent, the wall of partition is taken down, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, Eph. 2:14, 15. The Mosaic economy is dissolved, to make way for a better hope. (5.) It is finished, that is, sin is finished, and an end made of transgression, by the bringing in of an everlasting righteousness. It seems to refer to Dan. 9:24. The Lamb of God was sacrificed to take away the sin of the world, and it is done, Heb. 9:26. (6.) It is finished, that is, his sufferings were now finished, both those of his soul and those of his body. The storm is over, the worst is past; all his pains and agonies are at an end,

and he is just going to paradise, entering upon the joy set before him. Let all that suffer for Christ, and with Christ, comfort themselves with this, that yet a little while and they also shall say, It is finished. (7.) It is finished, that is, his life was now finished, he was just ready to breathe his last, and now he is no more in this world, John 17:11. This is like that of blessed Paul (2 Tim. 4:7), I have finished my course, my race is run, my glass is out, mene, mene— numbered and finished. This we must all come to shortly. (8.) It is finished, that is, the work of man’s redemption and salvation is now completed, at least the hardest part of the undertaking is over; a full satisfaction is made to the justice of God, a fatal blow given to the power of Satan, a fountain of grace opened that shall ever flow, a foundation of peace and happiness laid that shall never fail. Christ had now gone

through with his work, and finished it, John 17:4. For, as for God, his work is perfect; when I begin, saith he, I will also make an end. And, as in the purchase, so in the application of the redemption, he that has begun a good work will perform it; the mystery of God shall be finished.
From Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
There seems to be something particularly significant about Jesus' thirst, since once Jesus receives the wine he says, It is finished, and dies (v. 30). On one level this thirst is the only reference in this Gospel to Jesus' actual physical suffering on the cross. But the idea of thirst may also have spiritual significance. Earlier Jesus had said, "My food . . . is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish (teleioo) his work" (4:34). And when he was arrested he told Peter to

put his sword away, saying, "Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" (18:11). "Hunger and thirst become images for Jesus' desire to fulfill the Father's will to the end" (Schnackenburg 1982:283). Since the cup represents wrath and suffering (see comment on 18:11), Jesus' taking of this drink may suggest the completion of that experience, as the Lamb of God now takes away the sin of the world. The work he has come to do is now complete. The great significance John attaches to the saying I am thirsty would then make sense because it would symbolize both Jesus' commitment to obey God's will and the fulfillment of the suffering of the one who is the righteous sufferer par excellence.
Jesus had said that no one takes his life from him but that he lays it down of his own accord (10:18), and his death is indeed

described as a voluntary act: he bowed his head and gave up his spirit (v. 30). The order of Jesus' actions is important (Chrysostom In John 85.3). John does not say that Jesus died and then his head slumped over, but rather that he bowed his head, an attitude of submission, and then gave over (paredoken) his spirit. "At his own free will, he with a word dismissed from him his spirit, anticipating the executioner's work" (Tertullian Apology 21). The very form of his death continues to reveal him as the obedient Son, the key theme regarding his identity throughout his ministry. As the obedient Son, submissive to the Father, he fulfills the type of the true King, confirming the message of the sign over his head.
IVP New Testament Commentaries

First Scene with Doc & Yen Sun
DOC
Howdy... My name's Doc...
:
MURPHY
What...what can I do for you young man?
:
DOC
Well sir, if you're an acquaintance of the young miss... I was wondering if I could intrigue the young lady to a dance?
:
MURPHY
Why, certainly.
:
DOC
Thank you. What's your name?
:
YEN SUN
Yen Sun.
:
DOC
That's beautiful. You're a friend of Mr. Murphy's?
:
YEN SUN
He is my guardian.
:
DOC
How?
:
PAT
Hello there...
:
BILLY
Hello back... William Bonney, sir.
:
PAT
Pat Garret... pleasure. Excuse us, friend. We have a request for the band.
:
BILLY
Pat Garret. She'll love that I get to be as big as
him. No... bigger!
:
DOC
So shows the snowy dove trooping with crows... As Page 11/30
yonder lady order her fellow's chose...

:
YEN SUN
Pardon me?
:
DOC
Uh... That's poem. I'm a poet I wrote it.
:
MURPHY
I'm sorry young man... but we must be getting along. :
DOC
We're getting along famously, thank you very much.
:
MURPHY
I'm sorry young man... but we must be getting along. :
DOC
We're getting along famously, thank you very much.
:
MURPHY
I'm sorry I didn't recognize you, I was just
informed that you're part of the Tunstall company.
:
DOC
Yes, I am.
:
MURPHY
Ahhhh... Then I'll be expecting to see you follow... the Englishman out of Lincoln when he goes. You tell him... Tell that slug to leave no slime in the road behind him when he crawls back to Wharf Street.
DOC
Alex! How you doing?
:
ALEX
Someone break up your dance, Doc?
:
DOC
Yeah...yeah, he's the girl's guardian.
:
ALEX
Guardian? That's a gentle euphemism.
:
DOC
Why?
:
ALEX
He had a shirt ruined in the Silver City laundry. He

took the celestial woman's daughter as payment. :
DOC
What?
:
ALEX
She's house entertainment... as I understand it. Come on, you can dance with Susan... it's safer. :
SUSAN
Yeah...
:
DOC
No...
:
Second Scene with Doc & Yen Sun
DICK
Hey Doc, don't be stupid!
:
DOC
What?
:
DICK
You know they're gonna be looking for us.
:
DOC
Yeah, I'll be back in a minute.
:
YEN SUN
I cannot accept those, thank you.
:
DOC
You walk awful fast for a little thing don't you? Come on, Yen, I just wanna talk.
:
YEN SUN
You must like trouble.
:
DOC
Trouble? You think I look like... trouble. I'm a
poet... carrying flowers of all things.
:
YEN SUN
And a gun. A big gun.
:
DOC
It's a big town. Come on Yen... please? STOP! Look,

if you don't wanna take these, that's fine. But you take a message to your guardian... You tell L.G.Murphy that the Regulators are gonna clean own us like they own a little China girl for the price
of a shirt. Okay? You tell him that. Yen, I'm sorry.
Third Scene Doc & Yen Sun DOC
Yen Sun, it's me, Doc.
:
YEN SUN
I know what you desire. You've come to lay me and cut me into tiny pieces with a knife. You're a
bandit who eats children and old people.
:
DOC
I eat meat and potatoes. Who told you that?
:
YEN SUN
My benefactor.
:
DOC
Your benefactor? That's the man that eats people. Yen, if you want to stay here, tell me now and I'll go. Do you wanna stay here?
:
YEN SUN
In China, girls are not necessary. When we have floods, fathers let the girl babies wash by. My benefactor has made me necessary.
:
DOC
He's not made you necessary, he's made you a slave. I'm sorry. Necessary...is something you can't do without. I can't do without you.
:
YEN SUN
I keep the flowers that you offered me... in a
little room...inside my head. Inside my heart.
Often, you come in and ask me to dance. I often say yes.
:
DOC
I want to ask something else of you now. I want you to go with me to Roswell. There's a railroad going to New York city. Two days we can be on the train... We can be in another country. In a city, together. I can't stand him. He gets an idea in his head and you can't get..., get rid of it. If I stay with him much

longer, I'll be as stiff as a photograph. The only chance I have is to get hellbent for leather now! :
YEN SUN
They would chase us. :
DOC
I'm used to that.
:
YEN SUN
Don't... I am unclean... that is not for a young
man.
:
DOC
I used to ride with the dirty underwear gang out of Liberty, Missouri. Then John Tunstall taught me... that the past is like an old yellow-back novel. When you're start a new one. Okay? You're necessary. Yen, go with me, Yen Sun.
:
YEN SUN
No! No!
:
DOC
Come with me.
:
MURPHY
Open it! Yen Sun!
Back Story of Yen Sun
Yen Sun's mother brought Yen Sun and her fourteen siblings over from China hoping for a better life. The family opened a Chinese laundry business in Silver City, New Mexico. Throughout her life Yen had been constantly told that because she was a girl she was not necessary and was easily disposable to her family. This was soon proven to be true when a man named Lawrence Murphy had some shirts ruined at the laundry, in payment the family offered Yen Sun to be his 'companion'.
Yen had no say in the matter and did her duty to her family although she was bitterly unhappy. At a New Year's Eve party Yen met a young and very attractive man called Doc. Doc risked his life twice to see her again and tell her how he felt. Yen could not understand why such a nice young man would want an 'unclean' woman and she related the tale she had always been told about not being necessary. Doc made Yen see that she was necessary to him and their love became stronger. Yen ran into the McSween house, which was under siege, to be with Doc, she refused to leave his side despite the dangers and the two made it out alive. They fled New Mexico and traveled to New York were Doc sent for her family. Doc became a school teacher and he and Yen married and had a child together.
Some History of Young Chinese Girls in the United States
The Truth Edit

Donaldina Cameron with some of the girls she helped to save
Yen Sun was not based on a real person at the time of the Lincoln County War.
However the plight of young Chinese girls at this time is very much mirrored in her tale. Many found themselves sold into prostitution.
Young women were lured with the promises of a better life, kidnapped or sold by their own families into such lives. Chinese prostitutes were considered to be at the bottom rung of the profession, living in squalid conditions with only a small crib to sleep and conduct business on, many were even chained to their beds. They hardly ever saw any of the money that came in for the work they were forced to do and when they became too old or sick, many were either left to themselves on the callous streets or locked in basements where they were expected to take their own lives.
In 1895 a woman by the name of Donaldina Cameron began to campaign to free these young women from the awful lives they had to endure. She organized raids on various places to rescue girls and bring them to her mission where they were given the means to start a new life. They learned to read, write and speak English and many found a good husband or work that meant they could rely on themselves. Donaldina is credited with rescuing over 3,000 Chinese girls during her lifetime and many of the girls gave her the affectionate name of 'Lo Mo' - Beloved Mother.