At Jesus' Feet
INTRODUCTORY WORDS
The subject which we have for this study is appealing inasmuch as it calls the Christian into his proper attitude toward the Lord. Where would we rather be than sitting at the feet of Christ?
1. At the feet of Jesus is the place of humility. He who seeks the upper seat in the synagogue, and who delights in being called of men "Rabbi," delights to have others at his feet. He who walks in humility delights to take his place down, in all contrition, at the feet of Jesus. When we remember that our Lord was willing to wash His disciples' feet, we should be happy, indeed, to wash His feet, and even to wash the feet of one another. Some one has said that God's best fruit hangs low. It is not necessary to climb the ladder for the topmost branches. It is necessary to bend the knee to get the choicest blessings of the fruit of the Spirit. He who exalts himself shall be abased, but he who gladly takes his place at the Master's feet, humbling himself, shall be exalted.
2. At the feet of Jesus is the place of the suppliant. We remember how F. B. Meyer told the story of his favorite dog. The dog had a habit of entering the dining room during meals. He would bark rather rudely and loudly, and then Mr. Meyer would slip him some choice morsel. To this Mrs. Meyer objected, so the dog was thrust out. Later on, however, the dog quietly slipped in, unobserved, and crawled under the table near to his master's feet. During the meal he would reach with his paw to scratch the master's knee. Who can but imagine that he received even choicer morsels than of yore?
It is at the feet of Jesus Christ, our Lord, that we obtain His choicest blessing's.
3. At the feet of Jesus is the place for supplication and prayer. Somehow or other praying seems to have added power, when we fall upon our knees and bow the head. If we are expecting to receive something, we might stand and reach out our hands. If we are confessing our sins, or pleading with importunity, we will feel far more at liberty with our faces buried in our hands, and our forms bent as supplicants. It is the meek spirit and the humble heart which appeals unto God. We who plead should take the attitude of a pleader, for at Jesus' feet is the place of instruction.
It was in our schooldays that we delighted in sitting at the feet of some great master as he opened up unto us new realms of learning and of lore. It is at the feet of the Master that we should sit quietly and eagerly to hear His Word. The servant is not above his Lord, neither is the learner above his master.
4. At Jesus' feet will be our place around, the throne of God. We read in the Book of the Revelation how the four living ones and the four and twenty elders fell down before Him and worshiped Him that liveth forever and ever. They even cast their crowns before the throne, saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created." In the same Book we read of ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands as they worship the Lamb, and accord unto Him all glory. Then once more we read, "And they fell down and worshipped Him."
When John, the beloved disciple, heard the voice of One saying to him, "I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last," and when he turned and saw the Lord in His glory walking in the midst of His Churches, then he fell down at His feet as dead. Surely our hearts will beat within us by the way as we develop this matchless theme bringing out seven characters who will illustrate the vital relationships sustained at the feet of Jesus.
I. A SINNER AT JESUS' FEET (Luke 7:37-38)
1. A sinner seeking. Verse. 37 tells us how a woman in the city where Christ was sitting at meat came to Him bringing an alabaster box of ointment. This woman was a great sinner. All have sinned, but she had sinned in a way that society had cast her out. Such an one sought the Saviour, and such an one had a right to seek the Saviour. Has not the Lord said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden"? Are we not told, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow"? The Lord came to seek and to save that which was lost. Paul said concerning Christ, that He came to save sinners, "of whom I am chief."
In reading the writings of Charles H. Spurgeon we have found in several of his sermons a couplet which must have been a favorite with him. It runs like this: "None are excluded thence, but those who do themselves exclude; welcome: the learned and polite, the ignorant and rude."
2. A woman weeping. In the 38th verse we read of a woman who was a sinner standing at Jesus' feet. She was weeping, and, as she wept, she began to wash His feet with her tears, and she did wipe them with the hairs of her head. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with ointment. Here is one of the most beautiful pictures of contrition that we have ever seen. The kisses of a harlot under most conditions would be resented by the pure and holy, but when she wept, and wiped His feet with her hair, the kissing portrayed nothing but the sincerest repentance of a sin-filled life.
3. A Saviour satisfying. As the woman was weeping at Jesus' feet a Pharisee at whose table Christ reclined complained. They felt that the Lord was made unclean by being touched by a woman who was unclean.
II. A DEMONIAC AT JESUS' FEET (Luke 8:35)
1. A man who was a peril to the people. In Luke 8:27 we are told that the demoniac had been possessed of demons for a long time, that he wore no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. He was a demoniac who had gone to the depths.
Mel Trotter said once that when he was a sinner he had sunk so low he could not touch bottom. Here was a man who had gone lower than that.
2. A man who was driven of the devil. In Luke 8:29 we read that the spirit would catch the man, and when the people who feared him sought to bind him with chains and fetters he would break the bands. Thus was he driven of the devil into the wilderness. Here is a picture not easy to forget: a man absolutely helpless and not himself. What he did was under force. He was the devil's dupe and slave. There is a verse in Peter's Epistles where he speaks of certain men who were taken captive of Satan. This is no small matter. However, we are sure that it is often true, even in our day. Take a man under the power of drink. No man can tame him. He is a peril to every one he meets. He is liable to do any act of villainy, and to do it without realizing what he is doing.
3. A man saved and sanctified at Jesus' feet. Luke 8:35 tells us that this devil-driven man was found sitting at Jesus' feet clothed and in his right mind. How wonderful is the saving power of the Son of God. Would that the state knew the effectiveness of the work of Christ in the redemption of criminals. Perhaps they do know it in a way, and yet they never, personally, appropriate or adopt this mighty power of the Living Christ in behalf of convicts. They may let some preacher come in and tell the story of life, but the state itself adopts only the method of imprisonment and coercion to bring the criminal to his senses.
III. A RULER RUNNING AND FALLING AT JESUS' FEET (Mark 10:17)
1. Eager and earnest. Whatever may be said about this rich young ruler, he was at least eager and earnest in seeking Jesus. He did not come loitering and lagging. He came running. He was not unconcerned. Would that we saw more sinners with this spirit. It is too bad that it is necessary these days to plead and to beg unsaved men to come to God. It ought not so to be. On the day of Pentecost there were no committees appointed to stand in certain sections of the multitude that they might pick out those who seemed interested, and thereby assist them to the front, as they gave Peter their hands. To the contrary the people themselves cried out, saying, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" When a sinner needs to be urged and pushed to the front, somehow or other, we feel like his conviction of sin and his sense of the saving power of Christ is not what it ought to be.
2. Religious and righteous. Here was a youth who came to the Lord Jesus Christ acknowledging no sin, but rather pleading his moral integrity and religious fidelity. When the Lord mentioned the Commandments, the young man quickly stated, "All these have I observed from my youth." We do not doubt that he told the truth, so far as any casual recognition of the meaning of the Commandments was concerned. He was, beyond doubt, exemplary in deportment. He certainly was no moral menace to the public; so far as the keeping of the Law was concerned he was blameless. He observed religious rites faithfully. All this did not lessen his need of Christ.
3. Grieved and gone. When the Lord, in answer to the young man's boast that he had kept the Commandments from his youth, told him to go his way, to sell what he had and give to the poor, then the young man was grieved, and left because he was a man of great possessions. He desired a place in Christ's Kingdom, but he was not willing to pay the price. He loved the Lord in a way, but he loved his possessions more. He was willing to come to the feet of Jesus, and to kneel unto Him, but he was not willing to obey His voice.
IV. JAIRUS SEEKING AID AT THE FEET OF JESUS (Mark 5:22-23)
1. Praying and pleading. Here was a man, like the rich young ruler, a man of prominence and recognition. He, doubtless, also was a man of financial affluence. He came to the Lord Jesus, He came earnestly and eagerly, too. There was something, however, about Jairus that was different. He fell at the Lord's feet beseeching Him; not only that, but he "besought Him greatly." He not only prayed, but he pleaded. As Jesus looked at this ruler of the synagogue, as He saw his earnestness, His heart must have been touched.
2. Disheartened and doubtful. Mark 5:36 says that Christ said to him, "Be not afraid, only believe." When Jairus first came to Christ he told Him of his sick daughter. However, even while Jairus besought the Master, a certain woman had slipped in and had touched the hem of the Master's garment which caused considerable delay. The Lord turned to the woman, and demanded of her as to why she had touched His garment. While all of this was going on the daughter of Jairus died. Thus it was that a courier had been sent from the house to say unto the ruler, "Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?"
It is easy to imagine the fear and doubt that suddenly fell upon this seeker at Jesus' feet. He doubtless, in this, was like Martha and Mary. He believed Jesus could save the sick; he did not know that He could raise the dead.
3. Helped and happy. The Lord accompanied Jairus to his house. The journey was made by a man restored to faith and to expectancy by the simple words of the Master: "Be not afraid, only believe."
When they came to the house a multitude had already gathered and were weeping and wailing greatly. As Jesus entered He said, "Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth." The people laughed Christ to scorn. The Lord put them all out. With the father and mother of the damsel He entered in where the dead child was lying. Strange feelings, no doubt, were theirs, feelings of awe and faith mixed, perhaps, with unbelief. However, there was something in the assurance and certainty of Christ's mien which encouraged them. Thus it was that the Lord said unto the dead, "Damsel, I say unto thee arise." She arose, and walked, for she was of the age of twelve years. They were astonished, but very happy.
V. THE SYROPHENICIAN WOMAN AT JESUS' FEET (Mark 7:25-30)
1. Rebuked but resourceful. There was a certain woman who was a Greek who had a daughter demon-possessed. She came to the Lord asking for help, but the Lord rebuked her, saying, "It is not meet to take the children's bread and to cast it unto the dogs." The reason for this rebuke was because Christ came primarily to the Jews. During the years when a Gentile came to God, he had to come as a Jewish proselyte. This woman certainly had no such thought. She had broken down all conventionalities. Every law of procedure and form had been broken through that she might see the Master and plead with Him for her daughter. She fell at His feet with no spirit of arrogance. That which made her forget that she was a Greek and a Gentile was her need. The fact that Christ rebuked her did not in the least hinder her ardor. She seemed to cry out the more. Difficulties may stop the indifferent, but they only urge on the determined. When the Lord spoke to her about the children's bread being given to the dogs, she resourcefully, but not arrogantly, said, "Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs."
2. Tested and triumphant. Jesus said unto the woman: "Go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter." There was something in the woman's manner of speaking as well as in the word she spoke which brought help from the Lord. First of all, she said: "Yes, Lord." She recognized Christ's Deity. Secondly, she accepted without any resentment her place as a dog, even a little dog under the table. She still pressed her claim, and thus the Lord saw her faith, her spirit of worship, her humility, and her importunity. She was triumphant. Perhaps, we may learn here some very vital lessons of the manner of approach to God.
VI. MARY SITTING AT JESUS' FEET A LEARNER (Luke 10:39-42)
1. Working and worrying. We read in Mark 5:40 a word concerning Martha. She was cumbered about much serving. It was not the fact that Martha served that brought the rebuke from Christ; it was her being cumbered with service. She worked, but she also worried. We must remember that Mary was a worker, but not a murmurer. Mark 5:39 tells us that Mary, also, sat at Jesus' feet. The suggestion is that Mary worked, but did not work all the time. She did not allow her service to hinder her worship and fellowship with the Master. Martha on the other hand found no time to sit at Jesus' feet. Of her it might be said what was said of another: "While I was busy here and there, He was gone." She was so occupied with doing, that she neglected being. This is a common fault with saints. How frequently it is do, do, do, until sitting at Jesus' feet is a lost art.
2. Looking and learning. Mary, at the feet of Jesus, was hearing His Word. She was doing nothing of talking, everything of listening. As she listened, she looked. As she looked, she listened. She was not the teacher, but the student. She was not the speaker, but the hearer. She took the place at the feet of the Master in acknowledgment of His superiority and headship.
We wonder how many of us are students sitting quietly, and eagerly at the feet of the Master. One of our great preachers entered the pulpit one day with a look of eager expectancy upon his face. His wife, sitting in the audience, said to a friend, "My husband will give us a blessed sermon today." When her companion asked why, she said, "I saw him through the open door of his study on both of his knees, with his Bible lying open before him on a chair." When we get our sermons on our knees at Jesus' feet we will, doubtless, have something to tell our people.
3. Contrasted and commended. The Lord did not hesitate to answer Martha's complaint by comparing her with Mary. He said unto Martha, "Thou art careful and troubled about many things." Then He said, "Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken from her." The Lord, in speaking to Martha, spoke with agitation and concern because He said, "Martha, Martha." Repetition of a name is always suggestive of intensity, and the Lord was intense. He is still intense in His reproof of anybody who is anxious and troubled about many things, neglecting the one and chief thing, even the study of the Word. God grant that we may have from Christ's lips the commendation which Mary had when Christ said, "Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
VII. WOMEN WORSHIPING AT JESUS' FEET (Matthew 28:8-10)
1. Running with rejoicing. We now come to the story of the resurrection. First of all we remind you how the women were wondering who would roll back the stone from the sepulcher. When, however, they were told by the angel of the Lord that Christ was risen indeed, and they were commanded to go and tell His disciples of the fact of His resurrection, and that He would go before to meet them in Galilee, then the women departed quickly with fear and great joy.
2. Greeted with gladness. As the women ran to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "All hail!" Remember that this wonderful greeting came to the women as they were in the line of duty, and also in the line of faith. The angel told them that Christ was risen. They believed him. The angel told them to go quickly, and they went. Then it was that Jesus gave them added joy and gladness. He personally met them and personally said, "All hail!"
3. Comforted and commissioned. When the women realized that they were in the presence of the risen Christ they held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then the Lord said to them, "Be not afraid: go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me."
Thus it was that the Lord corroborated the message of the angel. Let us not underscore with red the words of Jesus if we mean thereby that they carry any more importance than the other words of the Bible. The Words of the Prophets and of the Apostles are the Words of the Master. Whatsoever the one or the other may say, let us do. With what joy did the women hasten on their way to report the glad news that Christ was risen, and that they were to see Him face to face. Let us also live in the light of the Lord's resurrection glory, worshiping at His feet. We are not serving one who is dead and in the tomb, but One who is living, and who knows, sees, and helps us every day.
AN ILLUSTRATION
"AT JESUS' FEET"
"Humility. When a Jewish rabbi walked abroad his students would gladly carry his cloak, or his books, or his inkhorn, but not one of them would unfasten his sandals. The unstrapping of the sandals was always done by a bondservant, never by a disciple. But John is so humble that he feels he is not worthy to be allowed to 'stoop down' and do this to Jesus which the slave does to other men. Although John was genuinely and profoundly humble, he was altogether right in what he said about his Maker's shoe-latchet. There was a vaster difference of rank between the Baptist and Jesus than the gulf which separates the meanest slave from his master.