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Sitting at the Feet of Jesus, April 29
One thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not
be taken away from her.
Luke 10:42
.
Our Saviour appreciated a quiet home and interested listeners. He longed for
human tenderness, courtesy, and affection. Those who received the heavenly in-
struction He was always ready to impart were greatly blessed. As the multitudes
followed Christ through the open fields, He unfolded to them the beauties of the
natural world. He sought to open the eyes of their understanding, that they might see
how the hand of God upholds the world.... But the multitudes were slow of hearing,
and in the home at Bethany Christ found rest from the weary conflict of public life.
Here He opened to an appreciative audience the volume of Providence. In these
private interviews He unfolded to His hearers that which He did not attempt to tell
to the mixed multitude. He needed not to speak to His friends in parables.
As Christ gave His wonderful lessons, Mary sat at His feet, a reverent and
devoted listener. On one occasion, Martha, perplexed with the care of preparing the
meal, went to Christ, saying, “Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me
to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.” This was the time of Christ’s
first visit to Bethany. The Saviour and His disciples had just made the toilsome
journey on foot from Jericho. Martha was anxious to provide for their comfort, and
in her anxiety she forgot the courtesy due to her Guest. Jesus answered her with
mild and patient words, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many
things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall
not be taken away from her.” Mary was storing her mind with the precious words
falling from the Saviour’s lips, words that were more precious to her than earth’s
most costly jewels.
The “one thing” that Martha needed was a calm, devotional spirit, a deeper
anxiety for knowledge concerning the future, immortal life, and the graces necessary
for spiritual advancement. She needed less anxiety for the things which pass away,
and more for those things which endure forever. Jesus would teach His children to
seize every opportunity of gaining that knowledge which will make them wise unto
salvation. The cause of Christ needs careful, energetic workers. There is a wide
field for the Marthas, with their zeal in active religious work. But let them first sit
with Mary at the feet of Jesus. Let diligence, promptness, and energy be sanctified
by the grace of Christ; then the life will be an unconquerable power for good (
The
Desire of Ages, 524, 525
).
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