Underfoot

May 10, 2020

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To “sit at the feet” of a rabbi was to assume a posture of submission to that particular rabbi’s teachings. While Jesus had many disciples, it is interesting that we don’t read about them sitting at His feet. There is one notable exception, however. There is one of Jesus' disciples who is found repeatedly at the feet of Jesus. No, it’s not Peter, James, or John. In fact, it isn’t any of the twelve apostles or the countless other men who followed Jesus. It is, instead, Mary. Join us for a message examining when and why Mary so frequently paused at Jesus’ feet and how we can learn from her example.

Pause and ask yourself

Passage (Read it):

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

Motivation:
Mary paused to learn at the feet of Jesus.

Opposition:
Her sister, Martha

Outcome:
An eternal reward

Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were with her in the house, consoling her, saw Mary rise quickly and go out, they followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there.Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.”Jesus wept.So the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

John 11:30-36

Motivation:
Mary paused to grieve at the feet of Jesus.

Opposition:
Her friends and neighbors

Outcome:
Jesus shared her grief and raised her brother from the dead

Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. Mary therefore took a pound of expensive ointment made from pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said,“Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii^[^b^] and given to the poor?”He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it.Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

1 Kings 19:1-21

Motivation:
Mary paused to worship at the feet of Jesus

Opposition:
Judas and the other disciples

Outcome:
Mary’s act of worship became a model for all believers

Practice (Do It):

Spend some time at Jesus’ feet. Following an unhurried Savior means you should make frequent stops. Whenever Jesus stops, that is your invitation to stop and wait at His feet. Ask yourself these questions:

What is God inviting you to learn during this pause?
What do you need to grieve during this pause?
How can you serve Him during this pause?

Other sermons you may want to check out:

Awakening (2015), One (2017), Prayer Journey (2018), The Disciple's Journey (2018), Boundaries (2019)

Daily Reading:

Monday: Luke 10
Tuesday: John 11
Wednesday: John 12
Thursday: John 13
Friday: Mark 14
Saturday: Romans 12
Sunday: 1 Thessalonians 4