Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

Bible Verse for Today

“[Martha] had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.”

Luke 10:39

Devotion for Today

Sitting at the Feet of Jesus

Mary of Bethany is famous for sitting at the feet of Jesus while her sister, Martha, played the role of hostess for their guests. And Martha is just as famous for not being happy about it. In fact, she took it up with Jesus. Jesus replied by saying, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41-42).

Mary chose the good portion. The New International Version (NIV) translates it as “Mary has chosen what is better.” The Christian Standard Bible (CSB) says she “made the right choice.” Not that Martha was wrong for having a servant’s heart, but Mary’s choice, sitting at the feet of Jesus, was right for her.

I’ve often wondered what Jesus was teaching that made it the “right choice” for Mary to sit and listen, but I’ve come to realize that it doesn’t really matter. In Matthew 4:4, Jesus said, “Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Mary was hanging onto the words of Christ, which is what we’re all called to do.

However, there are sometimes we get so caught up in serving that we forget to sit at the feet of Jesus. We all have things in our lives that claim our time. Whether it’s our families, a demanding work schedule, volunteering, or recreational activities. Those aren’t bad choices, but sometimes the right choice—the necessary thing—is to simply sit at the feet of Jesus. To learn from, and fellowship with, Him.

And that’s what sitting at the feet of Jesus is all about. Not just sitting to sit, but learning from Jesus. It’s about putting our hope in Him. It’s about finding our rest in Him.

Sitting at the feet of Jesus is a heart attitude more than anything else. It’s desiring to know Him more. Matthew 6:33 says, “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” That’s what it means to sit at the feet of Jesus: to seek Him out and let Him impact your heart.

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