Martha Carries Food While Jesus Teaches in the HouseBible World
10:39Luke 10:39
And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
Mary had a sister who sat at Jesus' feet as an attentive listener, welcoming and treasuring every word He taught, even while Martha was busy preparing for the guests. That sitting is the posture of a humble, teachable learner who knows need of truth and stays close to the One who alone gives eternal life. It is choosing the better part that will not be taken away, hearing His Word with faith, storing it in the heart, and becoming a doer of it in life and character. Learned in meekness and lowliness of heart, this sitting empties self and pride, forms Christlike character, and brings rest, inward rectitude and strength to resist temptation. Those who first learn in this way are then fitted to serve, feeding on Christ themselves in order to impart what they have received to others.
Setting and Wording
The verse stands in Luke 10:25 to the close of the chapter, which tells what to do to inherit eternal life. That instruction does not call for a wonderful higher education in sophistries and spiritualistic ideas, but lays the solid foundation Christ Himself created by giving His own life for the life of the world. She had a sister called Mary who sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word as an attentive hearer. She welcomed and treasured His words and gave close attention to every word He said, including at the supper in Bethany while Martha served.
Bethany was the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, a home Jesus loved to visit. There He found rest and could speak freely to receptive listeners who treasured His words and valued His attention to them. There He was free from the strife of tongues, prejudice, enmity, conjectures, criticism and accusation He suffered from priests and rulers, and from the misapprehension He suffered in His own home. There strife, prejudice and enmity were not present, and there He did not have to meet words that would sting and bruise the soul. Yet even there none on earth fully comprehended His divine mission or knew the burden He bore for humanity, so He often could find full relief only in being alone in communion with His Heavenly Father.
While Martha prepares for the guests, Mary sits at Jesus' feet and listens intently and eagerly to His teaching. She takes the opportunity to learn Christ's doctrines and become better acquainted with them, with desire to understand them and grow in knowledge that prepares for the kingdom of heaven. Her attention to His words is not idleness but a choice to seek knowledge that advances spiritual life. Mary, though others saw her as hopeless, had been lifted by Jesus from despair. Through His grace she overcame the demons that had controlled her, so her closeness to Jesus grew into fellowship and service and the possibilities for good in her life were realized.
Sitting at His Feet
Sitting at Jesus' feet is the posture of a learner who recognizes need for truth and listens to the one who gives eternal life. It is coming to Him as a learner with a humble, teachable, childlike spirit to receive instruction and the lessons He alone can teach. It is staying close to Him and living at His feet, receiving His teaching and bringing what is learned into everyday life.
Sitting at His feet is choosing the better part that will not be taken away, to be chosen whenever opportunity is given. It is prizing precious instruction enough to listen interestedly and make sacrifice to obtain light, mixing what is heard with faith that appropriates truth to the soul as bread and water of life. It is hearing and searching His Word and then giving the Word entrance into life and character by becoming a doer of the Word. Improving that privilege brings advancement and learning the way of life more perfectly, while failing to sit and learn leaves precious blessings unreceived and neglected, yet this learning supports a life of service alongside the call to abound in His work.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning of Him is true higher education. It makes the Bible the foundation of study, teaches the simple principles of the word of God, and grounds education in the Word of God. It builds character after the pattern revealed in the life of Christ, with the hope of eternal life, and it is a privilege to receive education in this posture of attending to Jesus.
Choosing the better part by sitting at the feet of the divine Teacher means studying the word of God and meditating on it daily with earnest effort as it should be studied. It means giving earnest attention to Jesus' words, storing them in the heart, treasuring them and practicing them in daily life. This directs the mind to what inspires pure, holy thought and diverts it from what is impure and untrue, uplifts mind and soul, refines the mind, and gives inward rectitude, firm decided will power and strength of principle to resist temptation and sin and shapes daily life. Neglect of this sacred instruction leaves youth and even those of mature years easily led into temptation and sin, few choose this better part, and to the mind renewed by the Holy Spirit divine beauty and celestial light shine from the sacred page, while the earthly mind finds no pleasure in contemplating it.
Sitting at Jesus' feet is the highest place anyone can occupy and a place to live in close, loving nearness to Him with good cheer. It means being emptied of self, pride and love of supremacy, receiving Christ into the heart as an abiding Guest, listening to His word while the music of His voice charms the soul, and receiving the peace of God to impart in words, attitude and example. Sitting most at His feet means learning from the Saviour's spirit with recognition of personal weakness and unworthiness and reliance on Christ for strength and righteousness.
Sitting at Jesus' feet means believing His Word even without seeing Him and learning from Him, for His Word speaks with authority as the words It is written show. It is choosing His instruction rather than being led by satanic influences, which bears on one's eternal destiny, and serving Him. It means humbling oneself to be taught by Him and receiving His kingdom with a child's humility, seeking wisdom from Christ the greatest Teacher rather than letting unholy ambition guide plans or trusting human understanding or following worldly customs.
Sitting at His feet as a learner brings to know Him, and to know Him aright is life eternal. Those who study God's Word and learn from Christ become His disciples who know Him and are changed into His likeness by beholding Him. For one advanced in years with confirmed habits and formed character, accepting truth and becoming transformed is a great work not accomplished in a day but going forward as he continues learning at Jesus' feet.
Sitting at Jesus' feet to learn of Him means coming to the foot of the cross of Christ. This learning gives understanding that there is a world to be saved, and those who sit at His feet follow the Bible rule and become Bible Christians who yield themselves to God so He teaches and works through them and become His helping hand able to impart to others what they have received. It means standing where eternal realities can be taken hold of and brought into everyday life, realizing the covenant relation to God, meeting the solemn obligation to represent God and Christ, and preparing for the mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him by acting as those getting ready to move.
Learning That Renews Life
Sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His word is learning precious lessons from His Word that bring blessing and gladness and joy in the Christian life. That personal experience of finding Jesus and serving Him is the pearl of great price and the higher way. Telling it to others in warm, fervent, cheerful, encouraging words is genuine missionary work that convinces others the pearl and the higher way have been found. That testimony arouses men and women from spiritual insensibility, wakes many as from a dream, and wins souls to Christ.
Sitting at Christ's feet and learning from Him makes religion more and more beautiful and beauteous and gives deep comfort. This is felt especially in feebleness and affliction when the hold on the world is loosening, bringing inward growth and enfolding the restless heart in the arms of infinite love. There Christ's pardoning blood appears precious and priceless. Looking to Jesus, whose sacred presence has brightened the tomb, drives away any terror in the last enemy and takes away the fear of death.
Sitting at Jesus' feet, learning His will and taking in His words, gives spiritual understanding in a restful yet active experience needed for Christian work. It makes His followers a wellspring of living water that refreshes those around them. It is the privilege of sitting at Jesus' feet, where there is no sin, before going out to labor with Him for the good of others. His feet are a place to learn sweet lessons, including that He can use His followers effectively even when they appear withdrawn from active work.
At Jesus' feet is learned the simplicity of true godliness, receiving true ideas of godliness and rest for the soul in place of galling human exactions. There the learner accepts the righteousness of Christ and His strength and grace to keep God's holy, just, and good law in whole obedience. There the learner refuses to weave human requirements with God's, and thereby holds up the high standard of the divine law by precept and example as a teacher of truth. His followers are to sit at Christ's feet to learn from Him likewise, humbly learning from Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to refine them, gaining a deeper experience with God by learning from Jesus.
Humility and Character Formed
Meekness puts a person in Mary's teachable place at Jesus' feet, opening the heart to God's word and submitting the will to divine truth and instruction, where precious lessons are received in the school of Christ. Choosing the better part by sitting at His feet and learning from Him is learning meekness and lowliness of heart from Jesus through the Holy Spirit. It puts self to death and brings a life hidden with Christ in God. That choice cannot be taken away, and it is the pattern for those seeking safety and a character formed after the divine likeness.
Sitting at Jesus' feet is learning from Jesus, following His leading as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It is looking to Jesus as leader, trusting Him, and surrendering will, plans, and purposes to God. Painful feelings and outside influences are not allowed to turn such a one from a consecrated life. Sitting at His feet means turning the eyes inward to see how offensive to God is a driving, censorious, dictatorial, harsh, self-exalting, strife-stirring spirit that wounds others. That spirit is to be banished from the heart, and determined effort made to learn meekness and lowliness of mind from the Master rather than seeking to be a teacher of others, gaining a subdued, meek and quiet spirit that corrects home duties and reveals Christ in words and actions.
Sitting at Jesus' feet to learn of Him means taking daily lessons in Christ's school with an eye single to the glory of God to gain deeper piety and a stronger hold from above. It devotes life given and spared by God to His service instead of spending precious probationary time in a frivolous manner, refuses a self-absorbed life lived for self-pleasing, and accepts responsibility to do the work Jesus has for all to do in bearing burdens for the Lord. It means giving oneself unreservedly to Jesus and learning of Him rather than following personal inclination and feelings, loving Him, living to His glory, connecting with heaven, and holding to eternal life at any cost instead of sacrificing it for pleasure. It requires refusing to be led away from the Redeemer by an irreligious companion who scorns sacred things and severing unworthy intimacy at once, which guards against throwing oneself away in misplaced affection and fits a person to do good in the world and for higher and more responsible work.
Sitting at Jesus' feet to learn from Him means setting aside the many trifling, nerve-taxing tasks the hands find to do that might better be left undone in order to take time to sit and learn meekness and lowliness of heart from Jesus and find rest for the soul. This sitting brings the life into subjection to Jesus Christ instead of separating life from God, regulates words and actions by the principles of God's holy law, and avoids the many difficulties in life and work that come from robbing God of the capital of entrusted talents. It means eagerly receiving His teaching with a childlike, submissive, teachable, humble, mellow spirit instead of feeling strong and self-confident. That replaces self-confidence, independence and strong self-will and pride, self-rule and human plans that eclipse sacred things, for those who imitate Christ lay aside pride and are willing to serve. This daily learning in meekness and lowliness instead of relying on self and supposed wisdom guards from mistakes and keeps from being led into error and false paths, in contrast to approving a harsh and domineering spirit. This posture is the way to obtain and retain the confidence of brethren, to avoid extremes, retaliation and strong talk, and to show the true spirit of Jesus under test and trial in meekness and lowliness rather than boasting and self-confidence.
Sitting at Jesus' feet means learning of Him who is meek and lowly of heart to repress un-Christlike desires and inclinations. This makes a converted person who exemplifies Christ in life-work, does not preach one thing and practice something altogether different, presents in his own character all the graces urged upon others, is Christ-like having His divine mould upon him, and becomes a safe, trustworthy laborer together with God. The one who learns His lessons will not prevaricate, falsify, come to terms with those who speak what is not true, degrade the soul for love of a little money, or sacrifice conscience to obtain an advantage or to be thought greatest, but will refuse to unite his honor with their assembly. Those who behold Jesus and value His words reflect His character, and their words and works show their union with Him in close fellowship with the Father and the Son, learning from Jesus how to reveal Christ's grace in character as the Holy Spirit shapes thoughts and character so they become learners of Christ in humility.
True conversion brings a person to sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary did, humble as a child, listening to His word and ready and willing to do anything He asks with a free and generous spirit that makes restitution for past wrongs and works eagerly to advance the truth. Sitting at Jesus' feet means giving attention to Christ and learning from Him rather than making self the center of life. It means drawing near to Him with a humble, teachable spirit to learn one's duty from Him, a privilege open to every person as well as Mary, who should look to Jesus and learn His lessons rather than depend on another person to teach or direct them. Sitting at the feet of Jesus to learn of Him with humble devotion while remaining active in service is the desire of those born from above with the mind of Jesus who humbled Himself to save, free from the love of self that brings unrest and no longer seeking the highest place. It means understanding that the value of work does not consist in making a show and noise in the world and in being active and zealous in human strength, but is in proportion to the impartation of the Holy Spirit, with trust in God bringing holier qualities of mind so that in patience the soul is possessed.
This posture of learning leads to surrendering the will to Christ, making the cross the central object and turning attention from the world toward heaven, with Christ's grace holding the learner in willing obedience. Sitting at Jesus' feet means receiving His teaching, and the blessing of that experience is something believers can share with others as they seek to win them to Christ.
Learners Fitted for Service
Mary's posture reveals one side of character needed for service, feeding most on Christ, studying His Word, drinking in the inspiration of His Spirit, and receiving His grace not to hoard but to give to others. Those ready to do service and those who serve others must first become learners of Christ in order to instruct others. While Marthas in every church are intensely busy in religious activities and do much good, Mary's part is also needed, for even the most zealous workers need to learn at the feet of Jesus. That attentive learning is sincere love for the truth heard from Christ, to be blended with Martha's willingness to minister.
Luke 10:38-42 sets out two attributes that all who work for God must have blended together, with self and selfishness put out of sight: Martha means willingness to minister and Mary means sincere love of the truth heard from Christ. This means taking the mind from self and centering it on Christ to hear truth from Him. For earnest workers, especially women workers, this appears as prudent, warm-hearted, tender, true to principle, persevering service that thinks far less of self and personal convenience, speaks words of truth, prays with every person to whom access can be obtained, and labors for the conversion of souls. The opposite lukewarm, self-indulgent, self-centered and covetous spirit makes souls the chief stumbling blocks to the work of God in every enterprise God has instituted.
The Marys have their individual work from the Lord distinct from the Marthas, and before doing a good work for Christ they must first learn meekness. That learning is not only bearing Christ's name but day by day watching unto prayer, walking even as Christ walked, possessing His Spirit, and daily purifying life from what causes spiritual weakness and brings dishonor to God. Their life must bring honor to truth by a well-ordered life and godly conversation, and then the power and grace of Christ will be revealed through them. Sitting at Jesus' feet to hear His teaching is the model for ministers, who in meekness are to learn from Him so they gain right views of God's character and can teach others.
Attentive learning from Jesus is the model for teachers and preachers, who must daily seek wisdom from Him in order to understand Scripture rightly and discover what is true and how to share it. Every teacher must daily sit at the feet of Jesus, earnestly seeking wisdom from on high with the Holy Spirit attending the word spoken to the heart, for without this daily learning no one can rightly divide the word of truth. Those who preach God's Word need to learn from Jesus themselves, otherwise they miss the refreshment and spiritual life He gives and fail to answer Christ's prayer, and teaching others requires humility and an abiding relationship with Christ. Sitting at Jesus' feet and learning from Him is the example for Bible teachers: as they learn from Him their understanding continually increases because God is their wisdom and teaches them His way. That sitting means closely studying the manner of Christ's teaching and taking in His lessons until divine knowledge becomes human knowledge, so the teacher who has been at Jesus' feet becomes a partaker of the rich fruit of Christ's teachings, weaves Christ's ideas and principles into life and practice and teaching, causes truth to blossom and bear the noblest fruit, has a heart warmed and burning with vivifying spiritual life that is infused into the minds of others, and leaves behind tame sermonizing that is an exhibition of self.
The verse applies to those with responsibilities, including conference officers and presidents, who are to learn Jesus' will and teach the word of the Lord rather than their own ideas, plans or rules, humbling themselves to seek divine instruction and learn His will like Mary. Sitting as learners at the feet of Christ so He may teach the will of God means learning how to work for white people and colored people in the Southern field, doing as the Spirit of the Lord dictates, agitating the color line as little as possible, using every energy to present the closing gospel message to all classes in the South, with confidence that as workers are led and controlled by the Spirit of God the question will adjust itself in the minds of the people. Learning daily at Jesus' feet refreshes the soul and helps a wife cultivate knowledge of God's Word and obedience to it so what she says can come from a sanctified heart. Sitting at Jesus' feet is presented as a place to learn from Him, trust Him and seek wisdom for faithful duties, and it does not call a mother away from her home and children.
Sitting at Jesus' feet means being a learner in the school of Christ, receiving knowledge from Him as the Source of strength in order to impart it to others. It requires recognizing ability and talent in others, not lording over them but being an example, teaching everything known in a kindly spirit without making light of mistakes or ridiculing ignorance, and training young men as students with the same liberality and freedom with which Christ teaches, binding them by love and tenderness. Those who do this individually with humble hearts and minds are taught of God and appreciate the lessons Christ has given in His Word, which is required of men and women in all God's institutions that they may show they are bought with a price and gain capability to labor successfully for souls. Sitting at Jesus' feet means learning from Him how to do duty in His work, proved by working the many large unworked cities and by workers in institutions doing their duty to advance the Lord's work. That learning shows a serious work requiring God's people to enlist the whole being, heart, mind, soul and strength in His service, loving God with all the heart by loving those for whom He gave His only begotten Son and Christ died to redeem from sin, not confining labor to believers but becoming acquainted with unbelievers, placing truth before those living up to all the light they have, and reaching precious souls in the cities to bring them into fellowship with the saints through the open door Christ has set.
The verse's picture of learning from Jesus applies to editors and all who teach the Word: they must learn from Him and gain a living spiritual experience. It is the model for a parent who must humbly keep learning from Jesus how to lead, guide and counsel children and establish them in faith, purity and singleness of purpose. Its image of sitting at His feet receiving His teaching applies to a woman who, after severe distress, is learning from Jesus and finding the enemy's power broken. It is a call to draw near to God, sit at His feet and learn from Him, speaking and acting in ways that give the enemy no opportunity and standing in God's strength. God's workers should learn from Christ like little children, gaining knowledge and understanding day by day so they can work successfully and bring what they learn into everyday life.
Mary had a sister who sat at Jesus' feet as an attentive listener, welcoming and treasuring every word He taught, even while Martha was busy preparing for the guests. That sitting is the posture of a humble, teachable learner who knows need of truth and stays close to the One who alone gives eternal life. It is choosing the better part that will not be taken away, hearing His Word with faith, storing it in the heart, and becoming a doer of it in life and character. Learned in meekness and lowliness of heart, this sitting empties self and pride, forms Christlike character, and brings rest, inward rectitude and strength to resist temptation. Those who first learn in this way are then fitted to serve, feeding on Christ themselves in order to impart what they have received to others.
Setting and Wording
The verse stands in Luke 10:25 to the close of the chapter, which tells what to do to inherit eternal life. That instruction does not call for a wonderful higher education in sophistries and spiritualistic ideas, but lays the solid foundation Christ Himself created by giving His own life for the life of the world. She had a sister called Mary who sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word as an attentive hearer. She welcomed and treasured His words and gave close attention to every word He said, including at the supper in Bethany while Martha served.
Bethany was the home of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, a home Jesus loved to visit. There He found rest and could speak freely to receptive listeners who treasured His words and valued His attention to them. There He was free from the strife of tongues, prejudice, enmity, conjectures, criticism and accusation He suffered from priests and rulers, and from the misapprehension He suffered in His own home. There strife, prejudice and enmity were not present, and there He did not have to meet words that would sting and bruise the soul. Yet even there none on earth fully comprehended His divine mission or knew the burden He bore for humanity, so He often could find full relief only in being alone in communion with His Heavenly Father.
While Martha prepares for the guests, Mary sits at Jesus' feet and listens intently and eagerly to His teaching. She takes the opportunity to learn Christ's doctrines and become better acquainted with them, with desire to understand them and grow in knowledge that prepares for the kingdom of heaven. Her attention to His words is not idleness but a choice to seek knowledge that advances spiritual life. Mary, though others saw her as hopeless, had been lifted by Jesus from despair. Through His grace she overcame the demons that had controlled her, so her closeness to Jesus grew into fellowship and service and the possibilities for good in her life were realized.
Sitting at His Feet
Sitting at Jesus' feet is the posture of a learner who recognizes need for truth and listens to the one who gives eternal life. It is coming to Him as a learner with a humble, teachable, childlike spirit to receive instruction and the lessons He alone can teach. It is staying close to Him and living at His feet, receiving His teaching and bringing what is learned into everyday life.
Sitting at His feet is choosing the better part that will not be taken away, to be chosen whenever opportunity is given. It is prizing precious instruction enough to listen interestedly and make sacrifice to obtain light, mixing what is heard with faith that appropriates truth to the soul as bread and water of life. It is hearing and searching His Word and then giving the Word entrance into life and character by becoming a doer of the Word. Improving that privilege brings advancement and learning the way of life more perfectly, while failing to sit and learn leaves precious blessings unreceived and neglected, yet this learning supports a life of service alongside the call to abound in His work.
Sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning of Him is true higher education. It makes the Bible the foundation of study, teaches the simple principles of the word of God, and grounds education in the Word of God. It builds character after the pattern revealed in the life of Christ, with the hope of eternal life, and it is a privilege to receive education in this posture of attending to Jesus.
Choosing the better part by sitting at the feet of the divine Teacher means studying the word of God and meditating on it daily with earnest effort as it should be studied. It means giving earnest attention to Jesus' words, storing them in the heart, treasuring them and practicing them in daily life. This directs the mind to what inspires pure, holy thought and diverts it from what is impure and untrue, uplifts mind and soul, refines the mind, and gives inward rectitude, firm decided will power and strength of principle to resist temptation and sin and shapes daily life. Neglect of this sacred instruction leaves youth and even those of mature years easily led into temptation and sin, few choose this better part, and to the mind renewed by the Holy Spirit divine beauty and celestial light shine from the sacred page, while the earthly mind finds no pleasure in contemplating it.
Sitting at Jesus' feet is the highest place anyone can occupy and a place to live in close, loving nearness to Him with good cheer. It means being emptied of self, pride and love of supremacy, receiving Christ into the heart as an abiding Guest, listening to His word while the music of His voice charms the soul, and receiving the peace of God to impart in words, attitude and example. Sitting most at His feet means learning from the Saviour's spirit with recognition of personal weakness and unworthiness and reliance on Christ for strength and righteousness.
Sitting at Jesus' feet means believing His Word even without seeing Him and learning from Him, for His Word speaks with authority as the words It is written show. It is choosing His instruction rather than being led by satanic influences, which bears on one's eternal destiny, and serving Him. It means humbling oneself to be taught by Him and receiving His kingdom with a child's humility, seeking wisdom from Christ the greatest Teacher rather than letting unholy ambition guide plans or trusting human understanding or following worldly customs.
Sitting at His feet as a learner brings to know Him, and to know Him aright is life eternal. Those who study God's Word and learn from Christ become His disciples who know Him and are changed into His likeness by beholding Him. For one advanced in years with confirmed habits and formed character, accepting truth and becoming transformed is a great work not accomplished in a day but going forward as he continues learning at Jesus' feet.
Sitting at Jesus' feet to learn of Him means coming to the foot of the cross of Christ. This learning gives understanding that there is a world to be saved, and those who sit at His feet follow the Bible rule and become Bible Christians who yield themselves to God so He teaches and works through them and become His helping hand able to impart to others what they have received. It means standing where eternal realities can be taken hold of and brought into everyday life, realizing the covenant relation to God, meeting the solemn obligation to represent God and Christ, and preparing for the mansions Christ has gone to prepare for those who love Him by acting as those getting ready to move.
Learning That Renews Life
Sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His word is learning precious lessons from His Word that bring blessing and gladness and joy in the Christian life. That personal experience of finding Jesus and serving Him is the pearl of great price and the higher way. Telling it to others in warm, fervent, cheerful, encouraging words is genuine missionary work that convinces others the pearl and the higher way have been found. That testimony arouses men and women from spiritual insensibility, wakes many as from a dream, and wins souls to Christ.
Sitting at Christ's feet and learning from Him makes religion more and more beautiful and beauteous and gives deep comfort. This is felt especially in feebleness and affliction when the hold on the world is loosening, bringing inward growth and enfolding the restless heart in the arms of infinite love. There Christ's pardoning blood appears precious and priceless. Looking to Jesus, whose sacred presence has brightened the tomb, drives away any terror in the last enemy and takes away the fear of death.
Sitting at Jesus' feet, learning His will and taking in His words, gives spiritual understanding in a restful yet active experience needed for Christian work. It makes His followers a wellspring of living water that refreshes those around them. It is the privilege of sitting at Jesus' feet, where there is no sin, before going out to labor with Him for the good of others. His feet are a place to learn sweet lessons, including that He can use His followers effectively even when they appear withdrawn from active work.
At Jesus' feet is learned the simplicity of true godliness, receiving true ideas of godliness and rest for the soul in place of galling human exactions. There the learner accepts the righteousness of Christ and His strength and grace to keep God's holy, just, and good law in whole obedience. There the learner refuses to weave human requirements with God's, and thereby holds up the high standard of the divine law by precept and example as a teacher of truth. His followers are to sit at Christ's feet to learn from Him likewise, humbly learning from Christ and allowing the Holy Spirit to refine them, gaining a deeper experience with God by learning from Jesus.
Humility and Character Formed
Meekness puts a person in Mary's teachable place at Jesus' feet, opening the heart to God's word and submitting the will to divine truth and instruction, where precious lessons are received in the school of Christ. Choosing the better part by sitting at His feet and learning from Him is learning meekness and lowliness of heart from Jesus through the Holy Spirit. It puts self to death and brings a life hidden with Christ in God. That choice cannot be taken away, and it is the pattern for those seeking safety and a character formed after the divine likeness.
Sitting at Jesus' feet is learning from Jesus, following His leading as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It is looking to Jesus as leader, trusting Him, and surrendering will, plans, and purposes to God. Painful feelings and outside influences are not allowed to turn such a one from a consecrated life. Sitting at His feet means turning the eyes inward to see how offensive to God is a driving, censorious, dictatorial, harsh, self-exalting, strife-stirring spirit that wounds others. That spirit is to be banished from the heart, and determined effort made to learn meekness and lowliness of mind from the Master rather than seeking to be a teacher of others, gaining a subdued, meek and quiet spirit that corrects home duties and reveals Christ in words and actions.
Sitting at Jesus' feet to learn of Him means taking daily lessons in Christ's school with an eye single to the glory of God to gain deeper piety and a stronger hold from above. It devotes life given and spared by God to His service instead of spending precious probationary time in a frivolous manner, refuses a self-absorbed life lived for self-pleasing, and accepts responsibility to do the work Jesus has for all to do in bearing burdens for the Lord. It means giving oneself unreservedly to Jesus and learning of Him rather than following personal inclination and feelings, loving Him, living to His glory, connecting with heaven, and holding to eternal life at any cost instead of sacrificing it for pleasure. It requires refusing to be led away from the Redeemer by an irreligious companion who scorns sacred things and severing unworthy intimacy at once, which guards against throwing oneself away in misplaced affection and fits a person to do good in the world and for higher and more responsible work.
Sitting at Jesus' feet to learn from Him means setting aside the many trifling, nerve-taxing tasks the hands find to do that might better be left undone in order to take time to sit and learn meekness and lowliness of heart from Jesus and find rest for the soul. This sitting brings the life into subjection to Jesus Christ instead of separating life from God, regulates words and actions by the principles of God's holy law, and avoids the many difficulties in life and work that come from robbing God of the capital of entrusted talents. It means eagerly receiving His teaching with a childlike, submissive, teachable, humble, mellow spirit instead of feeling strong and self-confident. That replaces self-confidence, independence and strong self-will and pride, self-rule and human plans that eclipse sacred things, for those who imitate Christ lay aside pride and are willing to serve. This daily learning in meekness and lowliness instead of relying on self and supposed wisdom guards from mistakes and keeps from being led into error and false paths, in contrast to approving a harsh and domineering spirit. This posture is the way to obtain and retain the confidence of brethren, to avoid extremes, retaliation and strong talk, and to show the true spirit of Jesus under test and trial in meekness and lowliness rather than boasting and self-confidence.
Sitting at Jesus' feet means learning of Him who is meek and lowly of heart to repress un-Christlike desires and inclinations. This makes a converted person who exemplifies Christ in life-work, does not preach one thing and practice something altogether different, presents in his own character all the graces urged upon others, is Christ-like having His divine mould upon him, and becomes a safe, trustworthy laborer together with God. The one who learns His lessons will not prevaricate, falsify, come to terms with those who speak what is not true, degrade the soul for love of a little money, or sacrifice conscience to obtain an advantage or to be thought greatest, but will refuse to unite his honor with their assembly. Those who behold Jesus and value His words reflect His character, and their words and works show their union with Him in close fellowship with the Father and the Son, learning from Jesus how to reveal Christ's grace in character as the Holy Spirit shapes thoughts and character so they become learners of Christ in humility.
True conversion brings a person to sit at the feet of Jesus like Mary did, humble as a child, listening to His word and ready and willing to do anything He asks with a free and generous spirit that makes restitution for past wrongs and works eagerly to advance the truth. Sitting at Jesus' feet means giving attention to Christ and learning from Him rather than making self the center of life. It means drawing near to Him with a humble, teachable spirit to learn one's duty from Him, a privilege open to every person as well as Mary, who should look to Jesus and learn His lessons rather than depend on another person to teach or direct them. Sitting at the feet of Jesus to learn of Him with humble devotion while remaining active in service is the desire of those born from above with the mind of Jesus who humbled Himself to save, free from the love of self that brings unrest and no longer seeking the highest place. It means understanding that the value of work does not consist in making a show and noise in the world and in being active and zealous in human strength, but is in proportion to the impartation of the Holy Spirit, with trust in God bringing holier qualities of mind so that in patience the soul is possessed.
This posture of learning leads to surrendering the will to Christ, making the cross the central object and turning attention from the world toward heaven, with Christ's grace holding the learner in willing obedience. Sitting at Jesus' feet means receiving His teaching, and the blessing of that experience is something believers can share with others as they seek to win them to Christ.
Learners Fitted for Service
Mary's posture reveals one side of character needed for service, feeding most on Christ, studying His Word, drinking in the inspiration of His Spirit, and receiving His grace not to hoard but to give to others. Those ready to do service and those who serve others must first become learners of Christ in order to instruct others. While Marthas in every church are intensely busy in religious activities and do much good, Mary's part is also needed, for even the most zealous workers need to learn at the feet of Jesus. That attentive learning is sincere love for the truth heard from Christ, to be blended with Martha's willingness to minister.
Luke 10:38-42 sets out two attributes that all who work for God must have blended together, with self and selfishness put out of sight: Martha means willingness to minister and Mary means sincere love of the truth heard from Christ. This means taking the mind from self and centering it on Christ to hear truth from Him. For earnest workers, especially women workers, this appears as prudent, warm-hearted, tender, true to principle, persevering service that thinks far less of self and personal convenience, speaks words of truth, prays with every person to whom access can be obtained, and labors for the conversion of souls. The opposite lukewarm, self-indulgent, self-centered and covetous spirit makes souls the chief stumbling blocks to the work of God in every enterprise God has instituted.
The Marys have their individual work from the Lord distinct from the Marthas, and before doing a good work for Christ they must first learn meekness. That learning is not only bearing Christ's name but day by day watching unto prayer, walking even as Christ walked, possessing His Spirit, and daily purifying life from what causes spiritual weakness and brings dishonor to God. Their life must bring honor to truth by a well-ordered life and godly conversation, and then the power and grace of Christ will be revealed through them. Sitting at Jesus' feet to hear His teaching is the model for ministers, who in meekness are to learn from Him so they gain right views of God's character and can teach others.
Attentive learning from Jesus is the model for teachers and preachers, who must daily seek wisdom from Him in order to understand Scripture rightly and discover what is true and how to share it. Every teacher must daily sit at the feet of Jesus, earnestly seeking wisdom from on high with the Holy Spirit attending the word spoken to the heart, for without this daily learning no one can rightly divide the word of truth. Those who preach God's Word need to learn from Jesus themselves, otherwise they miss the refreshment and spiritual life He gives and fail to answer Christ's prayer, and teaching others requires humility and an abiding relationship with Christ. Sitting at Jesus' feet and learning from Him is the example for Bible teachers: as they learn from Him their understanding continually increases because God is their wisdom and teaches them His way. That sitting means closely studying the manner of Christ's teaching and taking in His lessons until divine knowledge becomes human knowledge, so the teacher who has been at Jesus' feet becomes a partaker of the rich fruit of Christ's teachings, weaves Christ's ideas and principles into life and practice and teaching, causes truth to blossom and bear the noblest fruit, has a heart warmed and burning with vivifying spiritual life that is infused into the minds of others, and leaves behind tame sermonizing that is an exhibition of self.
The verse applies to those with responsibilities, including conference officers and presidents, who are to learn Jesus' will and teach the word of the Lord rather than their own ideas, plans or rules, humbling themselves to seek divine instruction and learn His will like Mary. Sitting as learners at the feet of Christ so He may teach the will of God means learning how to work for white people and colored people in the Southern field, doing as the Spirit of the Lord dictates, agitating the color line as little as possible, using every energy to present the closing gospel message to all classes in the South, with confidence that as workers are led and controlled by the Spirit of God the question will adjust itself in the minds of the people. Learning daily at Jesus' feet refreshes the soul and helps a wife cultivate knowledge of God's Word and obedience to it so what she says can come from a sanctified heart. Sitting at Jesus' feet is presented as a place to learn from Him, trust Him and seek wisdom for faithful duties, and it does not call a mother away from her home and children.
Sitting at Jesus' feet means being a learner in the school of Christ, receiving knowledge from Him as the Source of strength in order to impart it to others. It requires recognizing ability and talent in others, not lording over them but being an example, teaching everything known in a kindly spirit without making light of mistakes or ridiculing ignorance, and training young men as students with the same liberality and freedom with which Christ teaches, binding them by love and tenderness. Those who do this individually with humble hearts and minds are taught of God and appreciate the lessons Christ has given in His Word, which is required of men and women in all God's institutions that they may show they are bought with a price and gain capability to labor successfully for souls. Sitting at Jesus' feet means learning from Him how to do duty in His work, proved by working the many large unworked cities and by workers in institutions doing their duty to advance the Lord's work. That learning shows a serious work requiring God's people to enlist the whole being, heart, mind, soul and strength in His service, loving God with all the heart by loving those for whom He gave His only begotten Son and Christ died to redeem from sin, not confining labor to believers but becoming acquainted with unbelievers, placing truth before those living up to all the light they have, and reaching precious souls in the cities to bring them into fellowship with the saints through the open door Christ has set.
The verse's picture of learning from Jesus applies to editors and all who teach the Word: they must learn from Him and gain a living spiritual experience. It is the model for a parent who must humbly keep learning from Jesus how to lead, guide and counsel children and establish them in faith, purity and singleness of purpose. Its image of sitting at His feet receiving His teaching applies to a woman who, after severe distress, is learning from Jesus and finding the enemy's power broken. It is a call to draw near to God, sit at His feet and learn from Him, speaking and acting in ways that give the enemy no opportunity and standing in God's strength. God's workers should learn from Christ like little children, gaining knowledge and understanding day by day so they can work successfully and bring what they learn into everyday life.