Luke 10:39

“And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.”

Context:In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is busy with preparations, while Mary chooses to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His teachings.

Mary’s posture:The verse begins by introducing Mary, the sister of Martha. It highlights that she sat at Jesus’ feet, indicating a posture of a disciple or a student. This position symbolizes humility, submission, and a desire to learn from Jesus. Mary’s act demonstrates her priority to be in the presence of Jesus and to listen to His word.

Active listening:The verse emphasizes that Mary not only sat at Jesus’ feet but also heard His word. Mary actively engaged with Jesus’ teaching, showing her receptiveness and attentiveness to His message. It reflects her hunger for spiritual nourishment and her willingness to learn from the teachings of Jesus.

Importance of spiritual nourishment:Mary’s choice to sit and listen to Jesus’ word reveals the significance of prioritizing spiritual nourishment over worldly concerns. In contrast, Martha was preoccupied with serving and preparations, which led to her feeling overwhelmed and anxious (Luke 10:40). Jesus gently admonishes Martha and commends Mary for choosing the better part (Luke 10:41-42).

Discipleship and intimacy:Mary’s posture at Jesus’ feet suggests her desire to be close to Him and learn from Him. Sitting at someone’s feet was a common posture for disciples in ancient Jewish culture, indicating a close relationship and a desire for mentorship. Mary’s act of sitting at Jesus’ feet implies her recognition of Jesus’ authority and her desire to cultivate a personal relationship with Him.

Lessons we can learn from Luke 10:39:

• a) Prioritize spiritual nourishment: Like Mary, we should prioritise spending time in God’s presence, seeking His wisdom, and nourishing our spirits through His Word. It is important to set aside time to listen, study, and meditate on the teachings of Jesus.
• b) Active engagement with God’s Word: Merely being in the presence of Jesus is not enough; we must actively engage with His Word. This involves attentiveness, reflection, and applying His teachings in our lives. We should cultivate a teachable spirit and actively seek to understand and apply God’s truth.
• c) Intimacy and discipleship: Mary’s posture reflects a desire for intimacy with Jesus and a willingness to learn from Him. We should cultivate a close relationship with Jesus, recognising His authority and seeking to grow as His disciples. This involves surrendering our lives to Him and positioning ourselves to learn from Him.

In summary, Luke 10:39 highlights the example of Mary, who chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and hear His word. It encourages us to prioritise spiritual nourishment, actively engage with God’s Word, and cultivate intimacy with Jesus as His disciples.