Sitting at Jesus’ Feet by T. E. Bowen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 26, 1908

Sitting at Jesus’ Feet

By T. E. Bowen

T. E. BOWEN

THERE is one place where all rivalry, all seeking for the most honorable place, all that savors of caste, is laid aside, utterly forgotten, and that is at the feet of Jesus. The human heart is very deceitful. How often our own hearts deceive us! We sometimes may pride ourselves that we are humble, and yet it may be that very soon afterward we are brought around by the Lord to some experience which actually demonstrates to us the very painful fact that down somewhere in the heart is a cold, hard, selfish lump that must be replaced by the warm, tender love of Jesus. This revelation may cause us to feel almost disheartened. But while “with men” to effect a change in the heart is “impossible,” we here meet one of those “all things” “possible with God.” He who can raise the dead, make a way through a sea, stop the rushing waters of an overflowing river, throw down the mighty walls of a city, can take away that stony heart of self-love, and put in its place a heart of flesh that can be impressed by the tender Spirit of Christ. What can be compared to its worth? To sit as a humble learner at the feet of the Sovereign of the universe, there to forget all ranks and titles, all worldly attainments, is of such inestimable value as to pass the computation of figures!

“Jesus explained to the disciples that his kingdom is not characterized by earthly dignity and display. At the feet of Jesus all these distinctions are for-

gotten. The rich and the poor, the learned and the ignorant, meet together, with no thought of caste or worldly pre-eminence. All meet as blood-bought souls, alike dependent upon One who has redeemed them to God.”

“The sincere, contrite soul is precious in the sight of God. He places his own signet upon men, not by their rank, not by their wealth, not by their intellectual greatness, but by their oneness with Christ. The Lord of glory is satisfied with those who are meek and lowly in heart.”—Desire of Ages, page 437.

The one great need of the church today is not gold, nor laborers, nor education, nor talent, so much as that meek and lowly, tender and gentle spirit of Jesus that in Heaven’s sight is estimated of such great value. With this Jesus is satisfied. But until he finds it in the hearts of his children, it matters not how talented or valuable we may account ourselves, he will not be satisfied, nor can he receive us unto himself. And nowhere can this true worth be found but where Mary Magdalene of old found it—“sitting at the feet of Jesus.”

Takoma Park, D. C.