161. Love At Home.

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus feet, and heard his word. - Luke 10:39.

THE family at Bethany was highly favored by being permitted to entertain our Lord so often.

They all appreciated the privilege, but Mary made the wisest use of it.

Martha sought to serve the Lord with her very best.

Mary was full of love to Jesus, as we know by her anointing him, and therefore she also would serve him with her very best.

She did so by attending to his words.

She was a wise and saintly woman, and our Lord commended her chosen method of service.

It will be safe, therefore, for us to follow her example.

Let us learn from the woman who sat as a learner at the feet of our Lord, and thus taught us to choose the good part.

Here we see—

I. LOVE AT LEISURE. "Which also sat at Jesus feet."

When the evening comes on, and all the members of the family are around the fireside, then love rests and communes, forgetting all care, happily at home, oblivious of the outside world, and of time itself.

Like Mary—

We would feel ourselves quite at home with Jesus our Lord.

We would be free from worldly care—leaving all with Jesus.

We would even be free from the care of his service, the battle for his Kingdom, and the burden of the souls committed to our charge.

We would sweetly enjoy the happy leisure which he provides for us, as we muse upon the rest-giving themes which he reveals so clearly, and makes so true to us.

His work for us, finished, accepted, abidingly effectual, and perpetually overflowing with priceless blessings.

His great gifts received, which are greater than those to come.

All other needful and promised benedictions of grace, sure to come in due season (Rom. 8:32).

All our future, for time and for eternity, safe in his dear hands.

Let us, without fear, enjoy leisure with Jesus—leisure, but not laziness—leisure to love, to learn, to commune, to copy.

Leisure in a home where others are cumbered (verses 40-42).

Leisure to sit, and to sit in the most delightful of all places

II. LOVE IN LOWLINESS. "At Jesus' feet."

In this lowliness let each one personally copy Mary.

Say unto yourself, "I choose the feet of Jesus to be my place. "

Let me be—

Not a busy housewife and manager, which any one may be, and yet be graceless; but—

1. A penitent, which is an acknowledgment of my unworthiness.

2. A disciple, which is a confession of my ignorance.

3. A receiver, which is an admission of my emptiness.

This posture befits me when I think of what I was, what I am, what I must be, what my Lord is, and what he is to me.

Let me bless his condescending love, which permits me this bliss.

III. LOVE LISTENING. "And heard his word."

She could not have heard if she had not been at leisure to sit, nor if she had not been lowly, and chosen to sit at his feet.

Be it ours to hear that love-word which says, "Hearken, O daughter, and consider" (Ps. 45:10).

Listening to what Jesus says in his Word, in his creation, in his providence, and by his Spirit in our soul.

Listening to the tones and accents with which he emphasizes and sweetens all that he says.

Listening to himself. Studying him, reading his very heart.

Listening, and not obtruding our own self-formed thoughts, notions, reasonings, questionings, desires, and prejudices.

Listening, and forgetting the observations and unbeliefs of others.

Listening, and bidding all cares lie still, that they may no more disturb the reverent silence of the heart.

How sweet! How instructive! How truly "the good part"!

IV. LOVE IN POSSESSION.

She had obtained her Lord, his love, his presence, his word, his fellowship, and she sat there in full enjoyment to delight her soul with that which she had so joyfully lighted upon.

She had in this one thing supplied her soul's necessity, and so she sat down in perfect satisfaction. She had her Lord's promise that she should not be robbed of it, and she sat down in full assurance, to be happy in her possession.

Her Lord's promise assured her that she should not lose the good part, which she had chosen—

By a cold word from her Lord.

By the angry expostulation of her sister.

By any future affliction, or temptation, or occupation.

Nor even by death itself.

Now, then, she rests in resolute constancy: she has reached her ultimatum: she will go no further than her Lord and his word.

Oh, to be more with Jesus! This is true life.

Oh, to hear Jesus more! This is true service.

Oh, to love Jesus more! This is true treasure.

Oh, to abide with Jesus, and never dream of going beyond him! This is true wisdom.