Part 3 of 4:

REST IS FOUND AT THE FEET OF JESUS

“Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. 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.” Luke 10:38-40

In our text Martha welcomes Jesus into her home, but becomes distracted with all the preparations and running around that is necessary to entertain guests of honor. Mary is not helping, which ultimately becomes the crux of Martha’s issue. Never forget something I learned long ago as a Pastor, the issue is never the issue.

Mary was enamored with the fact that the Son of God was sitting in her living room and was quite possibly overwhelmed by His presence and His words. We should also take every moment we can and spend it at the feet of Jesus in our own homes. Perhaps Mary understood that the best thing she could do to serve God at that moment in her life was to sit at the feet of Jesus and take it all in. There is a peaceful resolve to our lives when we are drinking from the fountain of living waters: the cares of this life; worry, strife, stress and responsibilities all take a back seat to actually getting closer to God and rightfully so. After spending some time at the feet of Jesus, the mundane tasks of life can carry a new dimension of joy, peace and meaning.

Martha was so concerned about the non-essentials that she received nothing from that ministry visit that day. She was on stress overload, perhaps even jealous of her younger sister who did not carry the burden she was carrying — did not share in Martha’s self-made guilt and that infuriated her. Martha completely misinterpreted the purpose of that visit by Jesus Christ. When you welcome Him into your home, He will make your home a house of prayer, fellowship, redemption and deliverance. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus visited many times in people’s homes and He made no demands, never concerned himself with menus and meal plans and housekeeping. He was there to impart life and that more abundantly: we need to simply sit at the Master’s feet and receive — responding with our very lives to His words.

Martha is marching to a very familiar drum in the church world. A sound where the business of ministry and the needs of the church are taking precedent over a meeting of the Master! Mary knew what was truly essential — she knew what she really needed and what the purpose of Jesus’ visit was. At His feet we can find rest; perpetual, eternal and satisfying rest. At His feet, the troubles of life can be accomplished with renewal… Martha would have found the strength to serve and the joy intrinsic in service to the King of Kings had she first sat at His feet.

Next....Salvation is found at the feet of Jesus!