"Come and Sit with Me a While," Jesus. (January 2023)

I recall the days of early grammar school. I had teachers that had large, children’s books on their shelves. The pictures on the covers of the books always intrigued me. I wanted to know the story behind the picture on every book. Sometimes, my teacher would have us to sit around her feet. She would show us a page, read it, and then turn to the next page. This continued until we read “The End” or “And they lived happily ever after”. I enjoyed story time probably more than anything that I did in school. The pictures always drew me into the story of the book. I would strain my neck towards the book so that I could see and hear the details of the story. Sometimes, the book left me happy; but sometimes, I tried to hide my tears as they trickled down my face.

I thought of the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. Jesus was invited to their house for a meal. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, drinking in every Word that He spoke. Every Word ministered life, peace, and joy. Now, she knew that her sister, Martha, was frantically preparing the meal for Jesus and His disciples; but Jesus was One of those books that you just couldn’t lay down.

The Bible tells us in verse 40, “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me.” Notice, Martha was “cumbered”, which means that she was overly occupied; too busy; perplexed, harassed with different cares and employment at the same time. She was distracted and drug around in circles with emotional turmoil. Does this sound like anybody you know? I can sure identify. How many times do we get so involved in preparing for our guest(s), only to find out they are ready to leave, and we had no true fellowship time with them.

The Lord hungers for you and me to sit down at His feet, fellowship with Him, and allow Him to teach us. Jesus requests of you and me, “Will you please come and sit with me a while?” Are we cumbered about with much serving that this does not happen?

I can still see my grandparents sitting on their front porch watching for us to arrive. When they saw us, they would jump to their feet running to meet us. They always wanted us to sit and visit with them a while. When we couldn’t, you could see sadness drape their faces.

Our Lord sits longing for us to visit with Him in worship, prayer, and in fellowship. Again, are we being pulled around in circles with too much to do that we don’t make time to sit at Jesus’ feet? The Lord is dealing with my heart about these things. Oh, yes, I can spend hours in the Word, studying commentaries, and prepare for ministry opportunities. …But when my day comes to a close, I have to ask myself, “How much time did I spend with the Author of this Word?” I can know His Words, but do I know Him. Sitting at the Feet of Jesus is most important. Jesus responded to Martha, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled (worried and anxious) about many things: But one thing (one dish of food) is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, (fellowship with Jesus; eating the Spiritual Food in Jesus’ Words), which shall not be taken away from her.”

We are in a New Year, 2023.I want to challenge you to join with me in sitting at the feet of Jesus and fellowshipping with our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.He longs for you to come and sit with Him.