Wednesday, February 27, 2008

The Feet Of Jesus

"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace" (Isaiah 52:7a)

At the feet of Jesus is the place for the learner.

Martha, hurried and frustrated because of the things she felt ought to be done for their guests, complained about her sister. "Master, don't you care anything about my problems?" she asked, in effect. "Mary is sitting at your feet, hanging on every word you speak, and here I am cooking and getting no help?'



Martha's attitude seems very familiar: We want to tell each other how to serve God, rather than letting the other person use his own talents as God leads him.



Jesus was a guest in the home, and he knew what Martha was doing for his physical comfort -- and that it was necessary.




In answering her, he indicated a special sense of values, . "Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:42)




When Jesus' tomb had been sealed, his disciples thought he was gone from them, never to return, forgetting his promises.

But when Peter and John went to the tomb that resurrection morning, they saw "two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where Jesus' body had lain" (John 20:12)

Angels wait at the feet of Jesus, serving submissively as his messengers.

Man on this earth will never stand any taller than when he submissively kneels at the feet of Jesus and asks God to reveal himself.


The footprints of Jesus show us a pattern. They made tracks across time that can never be erased. It would be well for us to look at the footprints of Jesus.

The feet of Jesus moved in the paths of struggle, through defeat into victory. In these times, we have a way of justifying ourselves in which we say, "This is a circumstance into which no other person has ever been thrust."

Jesus was led out into the wilderness, and for forty days he wrestled there with Satan. The devil is very real! To forget that is dangerous! The things the devil will show you will make you dizzy! He will make it difficult for you to keep your balance. But you can find the footprints of Jesus all over the wilderness of temptation.

Jesus went through the struggles without yielding to the devil, because he kept his eyes on God, thinking God's thoughts and quoting God's Word.

The footprints of Jesus led to service. He said on one occasion that he "must needs go through Samaria" (John 4:4). Samaria represented a despised people the disciples did not want to consider. We should not put on glasses tinted with prejudice because we may fail to see the needs of a world that is crying out to us.

Some of the words of the song "Footsteps of Jesus" say, "We will follow the steps of Jesus where'er they go."

It is easy to sing those words, but it is a harder to practice. For the feet of Jesus got dirty in the dusty paths of Palestine. It was a common practice for people to take off their sandals and bathe their feet when they went into a house.

At a banquet, one sinful woman, out of love and devotion, opened a box of perfume "And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment" (Luke 7:38)
Mary Anointing Jesus Feet by Peter Paul Rubens
Mary Anointing Jesus Feet


He walked a path of surrender: The greatest danger of the church is not the sin and hypocrisy of its members, but the sleepiness and indifference of its people. But in the steps of Jesus we find encouragement. It is a path of glory! The empty tomb was filled with the splendor of angels. They declared, as he ascended, "This same Jesus... shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11)

We come and throw ourselves before the Lord in times of great emotion, praying for the comfort of our souls. The path of his feet will not lead us astray. They may lead us into inner struggle, but never into sin. They may take us to a brookside of wrestling, like Jacob, that we might make up our mind whether we are going to take his best for us.

If we choose "that good part," like Mary, no one can take it away from us! Sit at the feet of Jesus. Go into the Holy of holies and kneel before God, then walk out on the pathway Jesus trod -- the holy path that leads to glory.
His Mission Accomplished He Returns to Heaven Leaving Only His Footprints
His Mission Accomplished He Returns to Heaven

Leaving Only His Footprints

"And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet,
and heard his word" (Luke 10:39)

Let us not fail to "sit at Jesus' feet" and hear his word.


Mimi





references;
The personal Jesus
by R. Earl Allen
all posters
Christian clip art


10 comments:

Karen H. said...

Good Morning Mimi,
I am still trying to catch up with everyone. I didn't post any on Monday or didn't even visit. I am feeling much better today. I loved your post for today. Isn't GOD so GOOD? We should all be wanting to sit at Jesus' feet and do as he wants us to do. And that old devil does get in our way at times, but we should be sitting right there at Jesus' Feet and avoid that old devil. When you have time today, I hope you will stop by. I have some things for you on my post today. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.

Love & Hugs,
Karen H.

Kathi said...

This was beautiful. We need to do what Jesus did and quote Scripture as our only weapon, but very effect. Thanks for writing this. I want to learn to sit at Jesus feet.

Kathi

SweetAnnee said...

What a wonderful post.
I love all those stories from
the bible!!

Not only do I want to sit
at the feet of Jesus

but I want to
Be STILL and know He is God.

lovingly, Deena

Unknown said...

Mimi, an awesome post! I have seen it so many times, folks meaning well and trying to force others to serve Christ a certain way. It is so important that those of us in the family of God learn to accept others as they are and encourage them to use their particular styles of service for our Lord. This is the second article I've read this week referring to Mary and Martha.

Rose of Sharon said...

What a lovely post. I want to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen and learn from Him like Mary did. I also want to worship Him.

Come on over to my blog, I tagged you!

:0) Sharon

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

I taught that lesson last week in Sunday school to 1st thur 3rd graders.....Blesiings

HsKubes said...

Wonderful thoughts and Truths!
Thank you for sharing!

Thank you, again, for praying during this time. It is a blessing.

~ Christina

Anonymous said...

The footprints of Jesus show us a pattern. They made tracks across time that can never be erased. It would be well for us to look at the footprints of Jesus.

This is beautiful, and your grandchildren are very blessed. This is my first visit, and I love the idea of writing to your grandchildren. You're planting eternal seeds.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful thoughts Mimi, thank you so much.

Hugs.

Cathy said...

I love the scripture "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace" (Isaiah 52:7a), Mimi. We do need to sit at His feet. And I love the words about His path leading to Glory. It must have taken you a long time to do this lovely post. Thank you.