Encounters with Jesus - Pt 15

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “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 10:38-42 ESV).

Our next encounter with Jesus comes at the home of some of Jesus’ most devout friends. Lazarus, Mary, and Martha all encounter Jesus in pivotal moments in their lives throughout His ministry. In our reading today we find Mary sitting at Jesus' feet and listened to his teaching. We should note that to “sit at someone's feet” was to be the disciple or student of that person. Here Mary takes the position of someone who is learning from Jesus. He is the teacher, she is the pupil or disciple; he is the one who knows and teaches, she is the one who wants to learn. It is also the position of humility, of acknowledging ignorance, of a heart and mind that eager to believe and trust all that the teacher has to say. She listened to his teaching, she heard his word. We can learn a great deal from this encounter for our lives. Jesus gave several promises to all of us who hear his word, really hear, understand and believe. First, he says these people are “like a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matthew 7:24). This house, with that kind of foundation is, one that survives the storms. The storms of life are often unpredictable in their source and destructive force; however, all of them strike at the heart of our “house.” They all come seeking to destroy our security and hope. Learning from Jesus gives us the kind of foundation to withstand the onslaught of such storms. Second, the people who learn from Jesus “have eternal life and will not be condemned; they have “already crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24). It’s a principle almost too basic to mention, although it is often the simple things that unravel the greatest mysteries. Third, the people who learn from Jesus become part of his “flock”, and he becomes their “Shepherd” (John 10:16, 27; 17:20). As the Shepherd he protect, provides, and guarantees eternal life. No one can snatch them out of His hands. These promises are not just for those who sit at his feet as Mary did, when he was here on earth in human flesh. They are for all of us, who like Mary, hear, understand and believe the teaching of Jesus Christ. The greatest challenge is in the “distractions” that call us away from Jesus’ feet. What are your distractions? Put them away and build the indestructible foundation!