At His Feet Morning of Worship

A Devotion given by Pastor Mark Jordan

Mary & Martha

Luke 10:38-42 (NIV) | 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 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!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

• Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening while Martha was distracted by the duties she presumed were most important (Note: hospitality is a core component of Jewish custom)
• This is a reminder that we need to do things for God, but start by BEING someone for Christ!

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

John 12:1-3 (NIV) | Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

• We see here that Mary anointed Jesus’ feet with an expensive perfume, probably costing what would equal 1-year salary for the common laborer in the time of Jesus!
• She then wiped his feet with her hair as an act of worship
• For Mary, she was being both at His feet and giving an act of worship
• This is the model for us — to be somebody for God and live our lives as an outpouring of worship.

REMEMBER: Jesus Washed His Disciples’ Feet (John 13:3-5)

• Being God, Jesus had something to DO for the disciples
• He was bending down to care for the feet of those who would betray Him, deny Him, and desert Him
• He refused to have His own washed — it was an act of service for the disciples

Near the Cross

• John 19:25-27 (NIV) | 25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.
• Not likely that Mary from Bethany was one of these Marys
• John’s cue that those gathered “near the cross”
• We are to glean that they could probably smell the perfume while they were at His feet!

May we all seek to do something for Christ, but after the commitment to BE someone for Christ, which starts “At His Feet.”