Bible Study: At The Feet of Jesus

At the Feet of Jesus

Luke 10:38-42 Luke 10:38-42 (New American Standard Bible)

Martha and Mary
38Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named (A)Martha welcomed Him into her home.
39She had a sister called (B)Mary, who was (C)seated at the Lord's feet, listening to His word.

40But (D)Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me."

41But the Lord answered and said to her, "(E)Martha, Martha, you are (F)worried and bothered about so many things;

42(G)but only one thing is necessary, for (H)Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."


Cross references:
A.Luke 10:38 : Luke 10:40; John 11:1, 5, 19-ff, 30, 39;

 The heart of worship is to find ourselves at the feet of Jesus in submission.
 How often do we find ourselves there?
o Do I really possess a strong desire for God and His presence in my life?
o Do I go through life largely consumed with secular pursuits and worldly entertainment, while the things of God have little place in my life?

 Every time in the Word that we encounter Mary of Bethany (the sister of Lazarus) we find her at the feet of Jesus.

1. At His Feet to Listen to His Words.
a. While Martha was busy, Mary was at the feet of Jesus listening to Him.
b. She was open to what He had to say.
c. She was hungry to know Him and hear from Him.
d. Jesus declared that Mary had chosen the good part.
e. Sometimes we get so caught up like Martha in trying to do the work and service of Christianity that we forfeit what is really important.
f. We can get so busy in the doing that we forget the being.
g. The most important thing a Christian will ever do is worship Jesus, and the best place to do that is at His feet.

2. At His Feet to Bless and Anoint Him.
a. John 12:3 – Mary anoints the feet of Jesus and wipes them with her hair.
b. So often people are looking to receive an anointing or blessing from God rather than looking for opportunities to anoint and bless Him.
c. The highest degree or form of devotion is to give to someone without the motivation of getting anything in return.
d. Mary’s act was motivated purely by love.
e. A note in the Full Life Study Bible declares, “(Mary’s) faith in and devotion to the Lord is the highest example of what God desires in believers.”

3. At His Feet When He Didn’t Do Things they Way She Wanted or Expected.
a. John 11:32 – Lazarus was in a tomb. Surely Jesus could have prevented that.
b. Even though Jesus had not acted in the way Mary had desired, she still laid at His feet in devotion, submission and worship.
c. The true character of a person’s heart will be revealed when God acts differently from their desires or expectations.
d. Whenever God is doing things that are beneficial or going your way, it is real easy to worship Him and be at His feet.
e. True worship that is genuine and from the heart comes regardless of the circumstances in which we find ours at the feet of Jesus.