You wouldn’t think it would take a lot of effort to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen, but it seems like we put a lot of effort into not doing it. It is just so easy to do other things. Our lives are packed to the fullest; sometimes it’s to the point that we avoid having any personal time. The excuses can go on and on. “I can’t understand it without a preacher or a teacher” is one thing I hear. Remember this. The Lord will teach us on our level. At age 12 he was able to hold the attention of the rulers in the synagogue. He could also talk to a person who couldn’t even read and that person understood him. We serve a wonderful Master, and it is a great privilege to sit at his feet. We all have a place there. Do we take it? We must teach ourselves to do just that.
Here we have two sisters. One had no trouble sitting at the feet of Jesus; the other did. Did she have trouble just sitting still? Sometimes we seem that way. The devil will test us with it. Those who follow false religions are so well rehearsed in their beliefs. Here we are, born again believers, and we stumble at times. I’m afraid that too many times the problem can be traced back to the fact that we don’t spend time at Jesus’ feet.
There was a lot to be done on this particular day, yet Mary chose to sit with Jesus and let the things go. There will always be things to do, but the best thing we will ever do is take the time to sit with Jesus.
Luke 10: 38Now 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. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40But 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. 41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Jesus was very close to Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. When in Bethany, he always had a place to stay. It was like a second home. They were like family to him. Jesus was in their house. What a blessing to know the Lord is in the house! This is still the house of God and should always remain so. Every house represented needs to make it a point that Jesus is in the house. First off he must be in this house of clay—our heart.
On this night there was a lot to do. The people were hungry. There were beds to be made ready. The women had this on their minds. Many times Jesus would just sit and fellowship with them. However, at this particular time he began teaching. There are times the Lord simply wants our fellowship. We don’t have to tiptoe around him. He already knows us inside out. Relaxing at the feet of Jesus is not being lazy. It’s the time to commune with him. The to-do list was long. Our lists get long too. We get so driven to get through them. We should be zealous and get things done, but remember we must make sure there is time to sit at Jesus’ feet. The whole atmosphere changed when Jesus went from fellowship into teaching. He had taught all day, but he had more to say. If he takes the time to speak, we should take the time to listen.
Martha saw things that needed to be done. She could see and hear Jesus, but he paid her no mind as he taught. Mary may have been helping her at first, but she stopped and went to Jesus. Verse 39 tells us that sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. Still knowing that things needed to be done, she sat there. Too often we schedule our lives away and before we know it, we have no time to pray and read the Word. We have no time to sit with Jesus. Sometimes our schedules give us the excuse we think we need. We ought not to keep the Master waiting. He took time to suffer on Calvary. He took time to bring us his words. The least we can do is take time for him. Lots of voices grab our attention every day. The devil tries to drown out everything God related taking us here and there. He doesn’t want us to have time for Jesus.
Martha was upset with Mary. She stopped working and took the posture of sitting to learn. There was room for Martha there too. She only caught parts of it because she couldn’t hear him when she went in another room. How much do we miss because we’re not in the room with Jesus? Mary opened her heart. There was more merit in her sitting. We need to act. We must be about the Lord’s work, but when God says sit, let’s sit down and listen. The one who should do the most talking is the Lord. How do we know what to do to please the Lord if we don’t first sit down and learn?
Jesus told Martha she was worried too much. Mary chose the good part. It would not be taken from her. We can accomplish great things for the Lord, for ourselves, and for others if we learn at his feet. Take time. Ask the Lord to teach you how to sit down and learn.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 