At The Feet Of Jesus
One of my favourite Bible characters is Mary of Bethany, Lazarus' sister. Every time we see her, she is at the feet of Jesus. The circumstances of each situation are different, and we can glean some principles from them.
1) Sitting Submissively
Luke 10:38-42 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. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His word. 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. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Here we see Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His Word and learning from her Lord. Jesus commended her for this.
Are you daily reading and studying the Word of God, seeking Jesus in the Scriptures, learning from Him?
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Matthew 11:29-30 Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
2) Seeking Solace
John 11:19, 28-33 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto Him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met Him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.
Here we see Mary grieving over the loss of her brother, Lazarus. At the first opportunity she quickly went to Jesus to seek comfort and to lay her burdens at His feet.
Are you coming daily to Jesus Christ, laying your burdens at His feet, giving every care to Him in faith, knowing that He alone has the ability to answer them?
John 11:43-44 And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Mary was indeed comforted, and she received way more than she was expecting from her Lord. Jesus will meet all your needs if you seek Him and His righteousness first in your life.
3) Serving Her Saviour
John 12:2-3, 7 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of My burying hath she kept this.
Here we see Mary offering an act of service that was dear to her. This alabaster box of ointment cost more than a year's wages, but she was willing to give it all in love and gratitude to her Saviour, who had forgiven all her sins.
Are you faithfully serving the Lord in gratitude for all that He has done for you? It is only reasonable that you do!
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
1) Sitting Submissively
Luke 10:38-42 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. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His word. 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. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Here we see Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to His Word and learning from her Lord. Jesus commended her for this.
Are you daily reading and studying the Word of God, seeking Jesus in the Scriptures, learning from Him?
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
Matthew 11:29-30 Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
2) Seeking Solace
John 11:19, 28-33 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto Him. Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met Him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.
Here we see Mary grieving over the loss of her brother, Lazarus. At the first opportunity she quickly went to Jesus to seek comfort and to lay her burdens at His feet.
Are you coming daily to Jesus Christ, laying your burdens at His feet, giving every care to Him in faith, knowing that He alone has the ability to answer them?
John 11:43-44 And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Mary was indeed comforted, and she received way more than she was expecting from her Lord. Jesus will meet all your needs if you seek Him and His righteousness first in your life.
3) Serving Her Saviour
John 12:2-3, 7 There they made Him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment. Then said Jesus, Let her alone: against the day of My burying hath she kept this.
Here we see Mary offering an act of service that was dear to her. This alabaster box of ointment cost more than a year's wages, but she was willing to give it all in love and gratitude to her Saviour, who had forgiven all her sins.
Are you faithfully serving the Lord in gratitude for all that He has done for you? It is only reasonable that you do!
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
The Alabaster Box
(Mark 14:1-9)
She did it; she broke it, there was no turning back.
It was all or nothing; now the box was forever cracked.
The ointment was poured forth, diffused throughout the room.
Jesus' body had been anointed, prepared for burial in the tomb.
It was an offering of love and devotion to her Lord,
But He remembered it forever, recorded in His Word.
It wasn't broken for show, only Jesus knew her heart.
But as the spikenard flowed out, the aroma filled every part.
The good work has been done, but there's a lesson to learn:
In all of life's opportunities, now it's my turn.
The alabaster box of my heart was broken one day.
On the altar of service, there the precious ointment lay.
Dedicated to my Lord - fervent and sincere.
I gave it all to Him, and the cost was dear.
The sacrifice was offered, well-pleasing to God.
I presented it with tears, and a soul that was awed.
Thank You, Lord, for Your plan that includes even me.
And in reasonable service, my life is broken for Thee.
Poem written July 23rd, 2002
Devotion written August 11th, 2004
Jerry Bouey
(Mark 14:1-9)
She did it; she broke it, there was no turning back.
It was all or nothing; now the box was forever cracked.
The ointment was poured forth, diffused throughout the room.
Jesus' body had been anointed, prepared for burial in the tomb.
It was an offering of love and devotion to her Lord,
But He remembered it forever, recorded in His Word.
It wasn't broken for show, only Jesus knew her heart.
But as the spikenard flowed out, the aroma filled every part.
The good work has been done, but there's a lesson to learn:
In all of life's opportunities, now it's my turn.
The alabaster box of my heart was broken one day.
On the altar of service, there the precious ointment lay.
Dedicated to my Lord - fervent and sincere.
I gave it all to Him, and the cost was dear.
The sacrifice was offered, well-pleasing to God.
I presented it with tears, and a soul that was awed.
Thank You, Lord, for Your plan that includes even me.
And in reasonable service, my life is broken for Thee.
Poem written July 23rd, 2002
Devotion written August 11th, 2004
Jerry Bouey
3 comments:
Oh that each day I would be found sitting submissively, seeking and serving my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
This was excellent, Bro. Jerry!!!
Great outline and exhortations!
I just preached on John 12 on Sunday.
That was great! I loved the poem, after all giving Him our life is our resonable service!
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