What does Mary's example in Luke 10:39 teach about discipleship and devotion? Setting the Scene Luke 10:39 records, “She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message.” One simple sentence reveals a wealth of truth about what genuine discipleship and heartfelt devotion look like. Mary’s Posture of Discipleship • Sitting “at the Lord’s feet” places Mary in the classic position of a learner under a rabbi, signaling humility and submission. • Her posture says, “Jesus, You have the words of life; I’m here to receive.” Compare Acts 22:3, where Paul speaks of being “educated at the feet of Gamaliel.” • Discipleship begins with positioning ourselves beneath Christ’s authority, not alongside it. Prioritizing His Word • Mary’s choice underscores that the first duty of a disciple is to listen. “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). • She allowed the Word to take precedence over pressing tasks. In contrast, Martha’s busyness (Luke 10:40) shows how even good service can crowd out essential listening time. Single-Minded Devotion • Jesus commends Mary’s focus: “Only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion” (Luke 10:42). • Discipleship isn’t multitasking; it is deliberate concentration on Christ. Psalm 27:4 echoes this heart: “One thing I have asked of the LORD… to gaze on the beauty of the LORD.” Silencing Distractions • The narrative shows a home bustling with activity, yet Mary tunes out the noise. True devotion involves intentional stillness amid activity (Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God”). • Disciples today likewise silence phones, schedules, and worries to give Jesus undivided attention. A Model of Intimacy • Mary’s nearness to Jesus mirrors what He desires for every believer: close fellowship (John 15:4, “Abide in Me, and I in you”). • Listening is relational, not merely informational. Mary hears His heart, cultivating affection that later leads her to anoint Him (John 12:3). Practical Takeaways for Modern Disciples • Carve out daily, unhurried time at Jesus’ feet—Scripture open, heart attentive. • Guard that slot as “the good portion,” resisting urgencies that threaten to replace it. • Approach the Word with a learner’s spirit—ready to obey, not merely to gather facts (James 1:22-25). • Let intimacy fuel service: after listening comes Spirit-directed action, not frantic activity. • Encourage fellow believers by modeling this priority; discipleship is both caught and taught. Mary’s quiet, intentional choice in Luke 10:39 still speaks: discipleship flourishes when devotion keeps us at Jesus’ feet, hearing and heeding His life-giving words. |
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