Are You Sitting at Jesus’ Feet?
Are You Sitting at Jesus’ Feet?
A while back, I was reading the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10, when the wording “sitting at Jesus’ feet” stood out to me. It reminded me of a sermon my pastor had just preached on Ruth 3...
If you’ve ever read the book of Ruth, you might recall there’s a strange part in that story where Ruth goes into the tent of Boaz, the man whom she’s hoping will become her kinsman redeemer; and as he sleeps, she lies down at his feet.
Weird, right?
Weird enough to make me curious as to what that was all about…
According to the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary, it was common in eastern cultures for servants to sleep at the feet of their masters, so that they would be readily available if needed by their masters.
So, for Ruth to lie down at Boaz’ feet, she was essentially communicating to him, “You are my master, and I am at your service.”
Let’s carry that understanding with us as we dive into the narrative of Luke 10…
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 (ESV)
Martha was “serving” Jesus, and though she called him “Lord” (i.e. Master), she saw him as her guest. As the host, Martha knew what she needed to do, as well as what everyone else needed to be doing to meet the needs of their guest of honor.
Mary knew Jesus as her Lord (i.e. Master), and she was “at His service,” because the servant of a master waits for their master’s command.
There’s a lot we can learn from this story, but in order for us to take these lessons from useless information to practical application, we’ll have to examine our own lives and ask ourselves some hard questions...
Who’s calling the shots?
When it comes to day-to-day interactions and activities…
Are you more inclined to wait patiently and listen for direction from Jesus regarding how He wants to use you to build His Kingdom, or to busy yourself with whatever you have planned or anything you see needing to be done throughout the day?
Are you comfortable resting at Jesus’ feet, even when all the other Christians around you are running around like chickens with their heads cut off, “serving”?
Do you move only when Jesus leads you to move?
Are you even available to move when Jesus leads you to move, or are you already too busy with other commitments?
Think about how this applies to your role within your local church community. On Sunday mornings or whenever you gather with other Christians…
Are you so “servant-hearted” that you’re always doing?
Do you ever show up to church with no specific role or responsibility, just to be present and available for whatever God might lay on your heart to do while you’re gathered with His people?
Are you the person who always knows exactly what needs to be done, and how to get it done — and perhaps also, the person who feels justified in guilting others into “pulling their weight” to help you serve Jesus better?
On Sunday mornings or whenever you gather with other Christians, do you look more like Mary or Martha?
(I’m probably making some pastors and church leaders a bit uneasy right now, but that’s okay. The concern shouldn’t be whether or not what I’m teaching here might cause some people to reevaluate their roles in ministry, potentially leading them to take a step back from serving in some capacity where they’re “needed.” If out of obedience to the Holy Spirit, your church members make choices that mess with your goals and expectations for them, your real concern should be whether the goals and expectations that have been set for your church members are coming from Jesus or from you. Because pastors and church leaders can be Marthas too.)
As someone who has perpetually struggled with having a spirit of Martha, and who has grown up in a church culture that praises Mary from the pulpit, but exalts the Marthas in real life, realizing the difference between serving Jesus and being at His service was a game changer for me. Maybe it will be for you, too.
I want to leave you with this:
If King Jesus is your Lord (i.e. Master), then He gets to call the shots — and not just about what’s morally right for His people.
If you and I want to be a part of building Christ’s Kingdom here on earth, then we’ve got to stop acting like we already know what needs to be done or how He wants us to busy ourselves “for Him.” We’ve got to learn to rest at the feet of our Master, Jesus — which will mean, sometimes, doing nothing more than waiting and listening until He gives the marching orders.
That’s so uncomfortable for me to do. Maybe for you as well. But if He’s our Master, we need to trust that, in His perfect timing, He’ll show us the perfect opportunities, moments, and ways to serve Him (and others) well!
You and I need to learn to sit at the feet of Jesus, like Mary. And just like Martha, we also need to learn to let the Marys be.
A Prayer in Response: Lord Jesus, I confess that I have a tendency to start marching before You give the orders. I also confess that, sometimes, I act like You’ve given me the authority to boss other people around and tell them when and where and how You want them to serve. But I’m not in charge; You are. And I can’t possibly know what You want from me — or from anyone else — unless I’m waiting at Your feet, listening for Your command. So right now, I’m giving up control. Help me to assume the posture of a servant, waiting at Your feet, listening for Your instructions. And in the uncomfortable waiting, give me peace knowing that Your timing and Your commands for me will be perfect. Amen.
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