rsz_articles_20webMary is a woman that exemplifies maintaining proper perspective. She is a role model whose actions speak of immense focus, and fidelity. She is seen at the feet of Jesus on three separate occasions, showing her dependence upon her Lord.

  1. To learn – “And [Martha] had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word” (Luke 10:39). When Jesus entered the house of Martha, Mary did not fret about trivial matters. She took advantage of the rare opportunity to sit at the feet of the Son of God. Jesus said, “one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:42). We, too, have the opportunity to sit at Jesus feet and learn from Him each and every day by studying His word. Do we choose the good part? Or are we too busy “living life” that we don’t have time to learn how to live it in the way prescribed by God?
  2. To receive sympathy – “Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32). Jesus was not exempt from the emotional toll the death of Lazarus carried. It is famously recorded, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). His raw emotions translate into our understanding of His ultimate High Priesthood. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus offers consolation via His ability to empathize. When troubled, do we fall at our Master’s feet?
  3. To render due obeisance – “Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil” (John 12:3). This act of worship was so commendable that Jesus said, “wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:9). Our life is so full of secular activities we tend to forget about Who we are living under. The meaning of life is to live it before God in total piety. Do we carry on about our day without the slightest inclination to live it in such a way that is acceptable before our Holy God? Or do we humble ourselves at His feet as servants?