‘Man shall not live by bread alone’ (Matthew 4:4) is a truth-laden statement that requires no argument. Jesus uttered these words after finishing a 40-day fast in the wilderness. In human perspective, you cannot talk of finishing a fast without food, so Satan had attempted to capitalise on that to tempt Jesus to turn stones into bread. However, Jesus responded that we should not live on bread (food) alone but emphasised the importance of spiritual nourishment.
When people appear at a feast, they usual go there to indulge themselves in wine and dine. But there was a woman who proved otherwise. On two occasions, people offered to feast Jesus, but a woman named Mary sought something more profound. When Jesus visited the family at Bethany, Martha busied herself in the kitchen preparing a meal. Meanwhile, Mary, her sister, feasted on spiritual nourishment at Jesus’ feet. Martha complained, but Jesus gently corrected her, saying that Mary had chosen the better part (Luke 10:38–42). Jesus described Martha’s concerns as ‘worrying about many things.’
When we come to Jesus, there is only one thing worth being concerned about (Luke 10:42), to sit at His feet and listen in obedience to what He teaches (Luke 10:39). What Martha missed was that, during such times, Jesus enjoys the kind of food not prepared human beings. Once the disciples went to get Jesus food, but they returned to find Him uninterested (John 4:32). The joy of doing God’s will and completing His work (John 4:32–34) was food to Him. Jesus is the bread from Heaven (John 6:51), and we should come to His feet to feed on Him.
When we come to Jesus, it should not be about earthly food, but about the heavenly food that satisfies our souls. He wants us to busy ourselves with His words rather than our work. Jesus says that those who are His family are those who listen to and obey Him (Luke 8:21). If we must serve Jesus, let it be that we did so by listening to Him than choosing our own terms to satisfy Him. Martha thought labouring would satisfy Jesus, but He required listening to Him in obedience (Luke 10:38–42). As we begin the new year, we should focus on His word rather than our work to avoid worrying. There is a feast ready, it is the word of God. Come let us feast fast on Him daily.
A second instance of Mary’s devotion occurred when a rich man hosted a feast for Jesus (Luke 7:36–50). Though the Bible did not specifically mention her name, Church tradition recognise her as the same Mary of Bethany in John 12:3. Mary was present, but her agenda differed from the others. She wept at Jesus’ feet, not out of sadness, but as an act of worship. She shed tears to wash His feet and wiped them with her hair, which the apostle Paul describes as a woman’s glory (1 Corinthians 11:15). Mary laid down her glory; her crown at Jesus’ feet, demonstrating the ultimate act of worship.
Mary did not only draw from the depth of her reserve (imagine the effort it will take to get enough tears to wash the feet of Jesus) and laid down her glory at the feet of Jesus, but she also went ahead to anoint His feet with one of the most precious perfumes of the time. What form of worship! She did not pour it, she broke it. She just let go of herself to honour the Christ. She was not reserving any for another time or any other use. It was all for Jesus’ feet. If the feet of Christ deserved that much, imagine what Mary will give to His head. This is the total act of worship; to give off our very selves and substances. To give it all at the feet of Jesus.
For Mary, encountering Jesus meant listening to Him and worshiping Him. This is seeking first the Kingdom of God, and all else will follow (Matthew 6:33). As Mary sought first, the other things like Jesus resurrecting her brother, Lazarus, came their way when all hope seemed lost.
Jesus desires us to be available to Him, to feed on His word, and to abandon ourselves in worship at His feet. He wants us to give our whole selves and all we possess, holding nothing back. As Mary’s perspective, it must be our daily practice to feast on Jesus, worship Him, and give our all to Him.
As long as it is pleasing, let the tears flow, as long as it is honourable wipe with the hair, as long as it is worthy, break the alabaster box, as much as it is fulfilling listen to Him with obedience.
Written by Pastor George Osei-Asiedu (Dwenho District, Swedru Area)
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