At the Feet of Jesus

Luke 10:28-32

As we come to Luke 10:38-42 today we see the closeness with Christ and the beauty of sitting at his feet to learn from His word.

We have been talking about service in various ways over the past few weeks.

Why would the story of Mary and Martha follow the teaching of the Good Samaritan?

• We see this beautiful picture of service and then a person distracted by serving.
• John said in John 21:25  Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
• So Luke would have, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, included some things and left some others out. 
• So why are these passages connected?
• Now we get the message that maybe I shouldn’t serve cus I’ll be distracted.
• Service is an important aspect of being a true christian we are to serve one another.
• Our service flows from the communion with God that we have- Quiet, Stillness, listening, learning at the feet of Jesus.
• Jesus has informed the disciples that he will not be here much longer. 
• Roughly 6 months left in Jesus ministry it is here that they will see the beauty of closeness with God through Mary.
• Perhaps it is this longing for deepening intimacy with God that will lead them to ask how to pray at the beginning of Chapter 11.

My Goal is for us to see the beauty and priority of sitting at the feet of Jesus hearing the Word of God 

The Story

The unnamed village is most likely Bethany on the eastern slope of the mount of olives outside of Jerusalem (John 11:1).

Jesus has been journeying from village to village and he comes near his friend's house.

• Martha
• Martha welcomes him
• Mary and Martha were friends wis Jesus along with Lazarus
• Martha has most likely prepared a meal and is perhaps cleaning up.
• Type A personality
• John 11:21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.
• Here after Martha had been busy about serving we see her frustration boil over till she goes to Jesus and complains about Mary.
• We have a scene of sibling rivalry taking place before our eyes and in the presence of guests.
• It's interesting how much has changed since these ancient times yet the argument that occurs around the time of having guests over remains.
• What a common and relatable occurrence for us today.
• Mary is silent in this
• We see her simply sitting at the feet of Jesus
• Ἀκούω - λόγος The translation quite literally is that she is sitting at his feet to “hear his words”
• 2 Observations
• Sitting at one's feet is the posture of the learner.
• Women would not be allowed to be taught by teachers at this point in history
• Mary’s testimony of sitting at Jesus' feet listening to his words become instructive for us- More on that later.
• Jesus Response (41-42)
• Jesus' words bring clarity to the situation.
• If you remember.. 
• Martha charged Jesus with not caring.
• She essentially demands his actions.
• Jesus' response does not seem to be one of anger or frustration but of gentleness2.
• Martha, Martha - This repeating of her name is a term of endearment towards her.
• It is one that would show deep emotion
• Luke 6:46 Jesus describes those who call out to him saying Lord, Lord
• 8:24 The disciples say- Master, Master
• The good portion (42)
• That will never be taken from her (42).
• One day- for Mary the meal is over the clean-up has taken place and the service is complete
• Those, however, who spend time with Jesus, eat of the bread of life, they enjoy him forever.

1. Prioritize the sweet time at the feet of Jesus
2. Jesus refers to us often as hi sheep who listen for his voice
3. In Psalms 23 
4. The Shepherd represents provision, protection, restoration, and joy
5. John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
6. The shepherd saves his own and leads them to receive eternal life
7. Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
8. Jesus christ calms our fears and assures us of heaven as we draw near to him.
9. If you have found yourself today drifting away from the voice of your God- Distracting yourself with the things of this world, can I call you today, like the prodigal
10. Allow you closeness to God, your love for his voice, your joy in his presence- to guide you to what's most important.
11. Let your walk with Jesus be grounded in your relationship with Christ.
12. We do these things because as we sit at Jesus feet his words impact us
13. Once we have tasted the sweetness of closeness to God we realize nothing else can fill that place in our lives