Sitting at Messiah’s Feet

For some, the busyness of the day has begun. You may think running here and there is the best for you. I challenge you with this truth: choosing to be at the feet of Jesus is not only the very best for our lives but what’s essential. If you don’t trust me, trust the scriptures.

Mary and Martha were two sisters who were given to the traditions of their day. In their day when a guest came to dinner, they (women) would have put out the best. The men would have been listening to the visitor, especially if it were a rabbi (teacher). The women, by tradition, would not dare to sit at the feet of a rabbi. Her place would have been in the kitchen serving. The women of that day were to listen to their husbands and go to them with questions.

But there is a higher calling than tradition. I love Mary and am so inspired by her obedience. She sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His every word. In Greek, it means she went and sat at His side. It is understood here that she took initiative and positioned herself close to Him. She broke all traditions. It was essential to her. I believe this intimate time with Messiah prepared her for darker days ahead.

While meditating on this story, I had another thought. Tradition said women learned from their husbands. Could it be that Mary was actually taking that tradition to the next level? After all, she was the Bride of Christ. She was in fact sitting at the feet of the ultimate Bride Groom. What a wonderful example for us today!

Father, may we be willing to obey your calling in our lives over the traditions of men. Help us to understand there is no better place to be than at your feet, hanging on your every word. | Laurie L. Ferris