  
|
Sitting at the Feet of Jesus Luke 10:38 ¶ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. It is now just a few months until Calvary. Jesus is at the house of His friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus. In the near future Jesus would raise Lazarus from the dead. And Mary would anoint the feet of Jesus with a very expensive perfume (Jn. 12:2-8). Many feel that because Martha took charge of the household duties that she was older than Mary. Perhaps so, since Luke states that it was, “Her house.” Martha was busy preparing a meal for Jesus and His group, if she was anything like women today, she wanted everything to be just right. She had probably cleaned the house and brought out her best table settings. I’m sure that she cooked the most tasty recipe in her collection. She wanted to give her best for Jesus, something that would not fail to impress Him. Martha, like her sister Mary, loved the Lord . The problem was that she and Mary had different perspectives. Jesus doesn’t really care about all of our busy work, He just wants our whole hearts without reservation. Deuteronomy 6:4 ¶ Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: The text says that she was cumbered (encumbered) about with much serving. Her routine household duties were weighing her down and robbing her of a blessing. Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of [this] life, and bring no fruit to perfection. I wonder if we don’t become like Martha in the preparation of our church services? The music must be perfect and the sermon organized just so. I wonder what Jesus thinks about all of our busy preparations. Not that we should be careless, but I believe that Jesus would prefer that we be like Mary and sit at His feet and listen to His words. Mary couldn’t care less about the cooking and serving. She was feasting on the eternal bread of heaven (Jn. 6:51). She was sitting at the feet of Jesus, eagerly listening to all He has to say. When Jesus talked, people took notice. Isaih 50:4 tells us that God had given Him the tongue of the learned, that He might have a word in season for the weary ones. You remember that when He read the scripture in the synagogue at Nazareth, the people wondered at the gracious words that came from His mouth (Lu. 4:18-22), The Pharisees sent officers to arrest Him and they came back without Him, saying, “Never a man spake like this man (Jn 7 :32,46-47). When Jesus taught the scripture, the scriptures came alive. There was no comparison to the scribes who would drone on endlessly, because Jesus taught with authority. It’s a whole lot different when the author of the text is the One who is doing the speaking (Mk. 1:22). However, Jesus doesn’t do all of the talking, He also listens. Peter told us to cast all of our cares upon Him, because He cares for us (1Pe. 5:7). Just as we treasure the times that we are alone communing with Jesus, I believe that He treasures those time also. Isaiah 59:1 ¶ Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: It wasn’t considered proper for a women to mix so freely with a crowd of men. This didn’t bother Mary because she was intent on listening to the words of Jesus. Come to think of it, it didn’t bother Jesus, either (Gal. 3:28). I’m sure that the longer that Mary neglected her serving duties, the more agitated Martha became. She appealed to Jesus, “Please tell my lazy sister to get up and help me.” Jesus turned to her in a loving manner and repeated her name twice for emphasize, saying, “Martha, Martha,” He gave her a gentle rebuke. “Martha, you have burdened yourself down with serving. You are worried about a lot of things. Only one thing is needful and Mary has chosen that one good thing and it won‘t be taken from her.” How often do we let the cares of life get in the way of communion with Jesus? Too often. Jesus told us to not worry about tomorrow and to be content with food, clothing and shelter. The lilies don’t toil or spin and the ravens don’t have storehouse or barn. God knows what they need He and supplies it. If we seek the kingdom of God first, all the necessities of life will be supplied for us, also (Mt. 6:33). That’s a comforting thought! I believe that while listening to Jesus, Mary gained insight into the significance of our Lord’s approaching death, for which she would later anoint Him with an expensive ointment. How much better to sit at the feet of the Master, listening to His gracious words. Words to live by and words that will carry us to eternity. Psalms 119:16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. Psalms 119:38 ¶ Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who [is devoted] to thy fear. Psalms 119:140 ¶ Thy word [is] very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. The Psalmist, like Mary, was fully persuaded what was the one necessary thing. Psalms 27:4 One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. The apostle Paul suffered the lose of all things and considered them as dung, that he might obtain one essential thing: eternal life with Jesus. Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [but] loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them [but] dung, that I may win Christ, Jesus said that only one thing was necessary. That one thing is to have a relationship with the Almighty God. He’s just as eager to commune with us, as He was to talk to Mary and Martha. Ecclesiastics 12:13 ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man. 1John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: New Recording: Sitting at the Feet of Jesus MP3 Download MP3 Player Sitting at the feet of Jesus, Oh, what words I hear Him say! Happy place! so near, so precious! May it find me there each day. Sitting at the feet of Jesus, I would look upon the past; For His love has been so gracious, It has won my heart at last. Often times God demonstrates His faithfulness in adversity by providing for us what we need to survive. He does not change our painful circumstances. He sustains us through them. - Charles Stanley Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries The purpose of About-Him.Com is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ whom we preach as the Almighty God manifest in the flesh. It is our desire that everything presented on these pages increases your faith in our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Home About Us About His Word Bible Studies Flash Movies Guest Writers Humor Links Midi Music Songs of the Church Thoughts on the Life of Christ Weekly Devotions Audio Devotionals Topical Studies Contact Last modified: 10-05-2011 Contact us About Him! Ministries |