Introduction

‘As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’ Luke 10:38-42

According to the record of Luke, Jesus went with his parents to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover when he was twelve years of age, but unknown to them, he stayed back in Jerusalem.

They anxiously searched for Him, but after three days our Lord Jesus was found by His parents sitting in the midst of teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. He was about His Father’s business!

In Mark 3:31-32, it was brought to Christ’s attention that his mother and brothers were looking for Him. His response in the following 2 verses was astonishing. As far as He was (and is) concerned, His mother and brothers are those who sit around Him to listen to God’s words. He then validated this assertion in verse 35 when He says: ‘…Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother’.

To do God’s will, we first need to constantly sit at the feet of Jesus to learn God’s will. Whilst Martha was anxiously about many things, Christ told her only one thing is needed and Mary had chosen that one (the better part) as she was sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to Him.

One of the most lovely songs of all times, written by K.C Minter summarises our thoughts succinctly: ‘Sitting at the feet of Jesus, watching, waiting every day, trusting in His grace and power, safe to keep me all the way; sitting at the feet of Jesus, where I love to kneel and pray, Till His goodness and His glory drive the shadows from my way’.

Again the Psalmist says ‘blessed is the one who does not sit in the company of mockers’, Psalm 1:1. Where then is your seat – at the feet of Jesus or in the company of mockers?

‘Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.’ ‘Why were you searching for me?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?’ But they did not understand what he was saying to them.’ Luke 2:41-50

Prayer

Thank You Father for giving us everything pertaining to life and godliness. May we ever sit at the feet of Christ, in the company of His saints, learning Your most blessed will, and seeking diligently to please You in all things. Our prayer is in the most precious name of Jesus, Your Son.