Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

Setting your priorities straight and learning the importance of sitting under the teaching of the Word of God is foremost on Luke's mind when he tells the tale of two sisters. In Luke 10:38 the story begins when Jesus and His disciples arrive at their home in Bethany: "Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house."

"Martha welcomed Him" (v. 38b), "And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word" (v. 39). The story continues, "But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, 'Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me'" (v. 40).

As it says, "Martha was distracted" (v. 40a). Martha was fulfilling her societal recognized duties. In that society, the women served and the men sat under the teaching of a priest or rabbi. So, Martha was doing what was expected of her, but her frustration was with her sister Mary. Mary was with the disciples, sitting "at Jesus' feet" (v. 39) and listening to Him teach.

Now before you get too hard on Martha, understand that she was just doing her God-ordained duty. Mary was not. Martha was preparing a meal for Jesus and His disciples, who showed up unexpectedly. That is at least thirteen weary and hungry men! A big task to be handled alone. So Martha just expected Mary to do her duty and help.

That is why she approached Jesus and asked, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me" (v. 40b). Jesus replied, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (vs. 41b-42).

Jesus realized why Martha was frustrated. She had a lot on her plate with so many unexpected guests. But Jesus wanted her to understand that there is something better and Mary had chosen "the good part" (v. 42), or "what is better" (NIV). Serving your guests is important, but learning of Jesus is better.

So what do we take away from this? Finding a balance. Finding a way to balance serving our guests, which is important, and hearing God's Word taught, which is better. So, what do we do?

When guests are coming on Sunday, find a way to do what preparations you can in advance. Then, let your guests know that you are going to church, which is extremely important to you. Let them know they are welcome to join you in church. Then, after church, when you arrive home, you can finish your preparations.

If dinner is a little late, that's alright. No one will starve, and you will be respected for standing on your faith and convictions. Perhaps someone will even come to know Christ as their Savior as a result. Just be faithful to honor Jesus, sit at His feet in church, and learn of Him and His Word. That is "what is better" (v. 42b, NIV), or the "good part" (NKJV). Amen.

Great and Mighty Things

Jeremiah 33:1-3 reads: Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying, "Thus says the LORD who made it, the LORD who formed it to establish it (the LORD is His name): 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'"

The time reference given in verse 1, "while he was still shut up in the court of the prison," indicates that this "second time" (v. 1) "the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah" (v. 1) follows directly on the heels of the message the Lord gave him in chapter 32 about the fields being purchased and the restoration of fortunes to the people in the villages surrounding Jerusalem. Still being under guard in the "prison" (v. 1) or "the courtyard of the guard" (NIV), the kings officers or elders could easily consult with him.

What this tells us is that the word of God was not bound. When Paul was in prison for his faith, he said, "for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained" (2 Tim. 2:9). "God's word is not chained!" God's word is never bound! To affirm this truth, the Lord affixes His eternal name to the words He is about to speak: "This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name" (Jer. 33:2, NIV).

The Lord then invites Jeremiah to test Him. He calls on Jeremiah to ask Him for remarkable things beyond any knowledge Jeremiah has or any understanding: "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know" (v. 3).

That is what the Lord asks of us. And that is the promise He gives us. Do not be afraid to ask for things beyond your knowledge and understanding. The Lord wants to show you unsearchable things, just as He did Jeremiah. The problem is, we don't ask. Jesus said, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matt. 7:7). Ask of the Lord and He "will show you great and mighty things, which you do not know" (Jer. 33:3). Amen.

Praise! Patience! Prayer!

When a believer, a Christian, first receives Christ as his Lord and Savior, there is an initial glow and passion for serving Christ. But soon after, there is a danger of slipping back into old, sinful habits and a spiritual deadening that leaves your life unchanged.

To protect against this, Paul encourages us to continue steadfastly in God's grace, because the exercise of grace affects our convictions. He tells us, "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer" (Rom. 12:12, NIV). Praise! Patience! Prayer!

When you follow Jesus, you have an anchor in the future. You have a certain hope. This hope is more than simple optimism. It is hope of a future, an eternity with the Lord Jesus in heaven. Such hope fills us with joy. It causes great rejoicing because our sights are set on that great and glorious day when we will be caught up in heaven with Him and we will see His glory and be united with Him forever.

Such hope sustains us and enables us to be "patient in affliction" (v. 12b). "Affliction" (v. 12b) is literally "tribulation." Remember Paul's words in Romans 5:3-4—"Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." That brings us full circle! Hope enables patience, and patience, or perseverance, produces character, which leads to hope.

The mention of prayer at this point is only natural. That hope and that patience is grounded in our being "faithful in prayer" (Rom. 12:12c). When under stress and strain our greatest resource is prayer. As James says, "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" (James 5:16b).

Praise! Patience! Prayer! Rejoice in the hope of your future with Christ. Be patient in all of life's circumstance, knowing that Jesus will see you through. Be faithful in prayer every day. Amen.

Pursue the Way of God

Psalm 1 introduces the Book of Psalms by encouraging us to live righteously before God. In fact, this psalm pronounces God's blessing on all who live a righteous life before Him. It does so by contrasting God's rewards over and against His judgment.

Psalm 1 promotes wise, godly living. It begins by speaking of blessing: "Blessed is the man" (v. 1a). This speaks of joy and gratitude on the part of one who is in fellowship with the Lord. This joy is God's gift to the righteous which nothing can deny or take away.

Our joy is promoted in two ways: separating ourselves from the wicked (v. 1b) and associating with God (v. 2). "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night" (vs. 1-2).

Three negative phrases in verse 1 describe how we are to separate ourselves from the wicked. Do not live by the counsel of ungodly people. Do not stand with sinners or follow their lifestyle. Dare to be different! Do not be "scornful" (v. 1d). Do not get caught up in mocking or scoffing at others, or making scathing comments.

Rather, follow the two positive thoughts of verse 2. Delight yourself in the Word of God. Meditate on it "day and night" (v. 2b). Read it daily. Study it. Let it become a part of you. Live by its every word and command.

Note the contrast made here between the godly and the wicked. Those who are godly are compared to a tree: "He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper" (v. 3). The tree purposely planted by water prospers with fruit and leaves. In the same way, he who purposely plants himself in the Word of God is blessed with righteousness and truth.

"The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous" (vs. 4-5). The wicked are compared to mere "chaff which the wind drives away" (v. 4b). This shows the ease with which God will deal with the ungodly. In the end comes judgment, and the wicked will not stand. Only the righteous will be blessed in the judgment.

The Lord knows those who are His. He intimately knows those who follow Him in godliness and He assures them of His care for them, His protection of them, and His rewards that await them. Note verse 6: "For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish."

Don't perish with the ungodly. Rather, stand with the righteous. Walk after the way of the Lord. Pursue the way of God! Amen.