158. At His Feet.

At his feet. - Luke 7:38.

Orientals are demonstrative, and in their devotions they pay greater attention to bodily posture than we do.

Let us be the more careful of the posture of our souls.

It is interesting to consider our posture towards our Lord.

He bears us on his heart (Song of Sol. 8:6), in his bosom (Isa. 40:11), in his hand (Isa. 49:2; 51:16), on his shoulders (Luke 15:5).

But yet "at his feet" is our most usual place.

I. IT IS A BECOMING POSTURE.

The posture is admirable for many reasons.

1. As he is divine, let us pay him lowliest reverence.

2. As we are sinful, let us make humble confession.

3. As he is Lord, let us make full submission.

4. As he is All in All, let us manifest immovable dependence.

5. As he is infinitely wise, let us wait his appointed time.

The best are at his feet joyfully, bowing before him.

The worst must come there, whether they will or no.

II. IT IS A HELPFUL POSTURE.

1. For a weeping penitent (Luke 7:38).

Our humility will help penitence.

Our lowly submission will bring assurance.

Our full obeisance will prepare for service.

2. For a resting convert (Luke 8:35).

In such a position devils are driven out, and no longer rule us.

In such a position they are kept off, and cannot return.

In such a position we give the best proof of being in our right mind.

3. For a pleading intercessor (Luke 8:41).

We plead best when we are lowliest.

We may be rulers of the synagogue, but when our heart is breaking we find most hope "at his feet."

4. For a willing learner (Luke 10:39). Mary "at his feet" showed:

A lowly sense of personal ignorance.

A believing acceptance of the Lord's teaching.

A hopeful uplooking to him.

5. For a grateful worshipper (Luke 17:16).

So the healed leper expressed his thanks.

So angels adore, giving him thanks, while bending low.

So would our hearts bow in unutterable gratitude.

6. For a saint beholding his Lord's glory (Rev. 1:17).

Overwhelmed, humbled, overjoyed, exhausted with excess of ecstasy.

Come, then, and submit to Jesus, and bow at his feet.

He is so worthy: pay him all reverence.

He has received from you so much despite: kiss his feet.

He will so freely forgive: this may well cause you to bow in the dust before him.

He will give you such joy: in fact, no joy excels that of full submission to his blessed sway.

III. IT IS A SAFE POSTURE.

1. Jesus will not refuse us that position, for it is one which we ought to occupy.

2. Jesus will not spurn the humbly submissive, who in self-despair cast themselves before him.

3. Jesus will not suffer any to harm those who seek refuge at his feet.

4. Jesus will not deny us the eternal privilege of abiding there. Let this be our continual posture—"at his feet."

Sorrowing or rejoicing; hoping or fearing;

Suffering or working; teaching or learning;

In secret or in public; in life and in death.

Oh, that I might for ever sit

With Mary at the Master's feet.