Sitting at his feet

One of my favorite games I play with our little dog Luna is throw a toy, she runs after it. And while she is running after the toy, I throw another one. She stops, considers her options and chooses. then I throw another one. And on we go. Her confusion pinnacles and then she looks back at me with a “really?” Stare. She doesn’t know which to choose and the choices overwhelm her cute little brain.

I am reminded of Martha. Distracted by her many tasks, she comes upon the scene of Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus. Martha has been trying to race after all the chores that transpire with a house full of guests. Can’t you see the scene? Rather than pulling Mary into the kitchen, she stands in the doorway (my edit), with her hands on her hips and says to Jesus:

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone So tell her to give me a hand.”Luke 10:40 HCSB

She approached Jesus with an imperative, all the while just wanting a bit of help. This scene is just few verses and yet countless books, sermons, illustrations have highlighted and pulled out many talking points. My focus here is Jesus. How people responded to Jesus. How they spoke to Him.

This reminds me of other situations where people ask for Jesus to do something, strongly.

Example #1

“Someone from the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’” Luke 12:13

Make Jesus help him get money. Say something, Jesus. Jesus doesn’t say yes to either Mary or this brother. Maybe it was the stress on this man, financially, caused him to yell out to Jesus and rather than placing his trust in God, he wanted Jesus to finagle his deal.

Example #2

“James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached him and said, ‘Teacher, we want you to do whatever we ask you.’” Mark 10:35

Wow. To me that seems quite bold and a little disrespectful, especially when this last request is RIGHT after Jesus predicts his death for the third time. Who wants to pull James and John aside and whisper, read the room?

All I can think is the person of Jesus was extremely approachable and kind. To us, this speaks of the truth that we may approach Jesus with whatever is on our hearts. He knows it anyway. To lay it out before Jesus, and allow His presence to calm and quiet.

I wonder how I often I come to Jesus with my requests only. Not fostering a relationship, just asking for things. Oh but his response, what do you want me to do for you? Jesus is kind and loving, but the cares of this world and beyond can choke us and make us forgetful of his care.

“As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the one who, when they have heard,go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, and produce no mature fruit.”Luke 8:14 HCSB

Life can be like this though. Hits from all sides. Hits that keep coming. I know I can be that seed which is why the very act of sitting with my Bible open, distractions quieted, signals my brain, here is the truth. Stay here. And then, in the daily repetition of the small practice, I train my brain this is where I go when I am afraid.

As I have been processing and writing this all week, one thing stands out to me in these passages. Mary, James, John and the guy all command Jesus to move on their behalf. I’m convicted how often I sound the same. Notice this in each of these scenarios: Jesus doesn’t give them what they want. There is something better.

Ooooo, can I just trust Him with all my things? Can I just lay down my fear of the unknowns, the future? Keep my focus on today, because life can be a little like my game with Luna. So many things threaten to distract and discourage, but in the middle of the chaos, He stands sure and able to move mountains on my behalf. In the storm, Jesus can be found. He may calm the storm or He may calm me.