Thursday, April 2, 2015

At His Feet




Before the Passover, Jesus was in Bethany with his friends Lazarus, Martha and Mary. Lazarus sat at the table with Him, which in itself was a miracle because he had been raised from the dead! Many people were there because they wanted to see this man who had been dead and was now alive. (John 12:9)

 John 12 tells us that Mary came in with a pound of very costly oil of spikenard and anointed Jesus’ feet. What a beautiful act of adoration! Not only did she anoint His feet, she wiped His feet with her hair. I have read that in that culture, no proper woman would ever let her hair down like this in public. In doing this, Mary was abandoning herself, pouring herself out on her Savior. What an amazing expression of her devotion to her Master. She held nothing back. She gave her very best and she didn't care what others thought. Mary's only concern was her Lord. What others considered costly, she considered nothing compared to Jesus. Mary realized her life was not her own and Jesus was worth it all.

 And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.” Mary’s act of praise filled the whole house, all those present took notice. I’m sure the fragrance lingered on her and Jesus for days afterwards also, for this was not diluted perfume but pure nard.

 Some who witnessed Mary’s sacrifice thought it was a waste. I love what Jesus says in verse 7 “Let her alone, she has kept this for the day of my burial.” Mary was preparing Jesus’ body for burial. She "kept" this just for Him. This was also an act of faith, for she believed Jesus when He said He would die. What others saw as a waste, Jesus saw as a beautiful act of sacrifice.

 Mary knew Jesus. She believed Him. She loved Him above all. This was not Mary’s first time at Jesus’ feet. While Martha was busy working, she sat at His feet eager to learn as He taught. She fell at His feet in grief when her brother died. Now she knelt at His feet to honor and worship her Magnificent Savior.

 May we follow Mary’s example by constantly being at His feet. At His feet… in pain, sorrow or grief.  At His feet…filled with joy and praise. At His feet….when confusion and heartache come. At His feet…..studying His word and adoring Him for who He is. Continuously at His feet, for that is where we find purpose, peace, love, comfort, grace, understanding, forgiveness, freedom and life….. At His Feet.

 
Casting Crowns sings a song called “At Your Feet”

Here are the beautiful lyrics….

Here at Your feet I lay my past down
My wanderings, all my mistakes down
And I am free

Here at Your feet I lay this day down
Not in my strength but in Yours I've found
All I need, You're all I need

Jesus, Jesus, at Your feet
Oh, to dwell and never leave
Jesus, Jesus, at Your feet
There is nowhere else for me
There is nowhere else for me

Here at Your feet I lay my future down
All of my dreams I give to You now
And I find peace, I find peace

Jesus, Jesus, at Your feet
Oh, to dwell and never leave
Jesus, Jesus, at Your feet
There is nowhere else for me
There is nowhere else for me

Here at Your feet I lay my life down
For You my King, You're all I want now
And my soul sings

Jesus, Jesus, at Your feet
Oh, to dwell and never leave
Jesus, Jesus, at Your feet
There is nowhere else for me
There is nowhere else for me

'Cause I am free here at Your feet
All I need is at Your feet
And I find peace, we're at Your feet
We're at Your feet

I am free here at Your feet
All I need is at Your feet
I find peace, we're at Your feet
We're at Your feet, we're at Your feet
We're at Your feet

Here at Your feet I lay my life down

2 comments:

  1. We have been studying John 12 with our small group. Last week I took the alabaster jar you gave me (thank you again!) and a bottle of nard essential oil. It was very powerful to be able to hold the heavy jar and smell the scent that filled the room that day. Such an awesome sacrifice.

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  2. Wow,that's so awesome! What an amazing way to bring this passage to life! Yes what an awesome sacrifice!!

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