Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Every Christian has wondered what it would have been like being with Jesus. No doubt it would have been a wonderful experience. In the New Testament, there were many who had this privilege. In the first century, sitting at someone’s feet had a great importance. It signified that someone was willing to humble themselves and learn from someone who was greater.
This post will examine four groups of individuals who were found at Jesus’ feet. Jesus often had the chance to deal with were those who were suffering, sorrowing, sinning, and seeking. Even 2,000 years removed, we are the same as these people. So as we look at these individuals, think of how many times you have been at the feet of Jesus and maybe how you need to get back in that position again.
Those Who Suffer
The most abundant group that we see at the feet of Jesus were those who suffer. To prove His power, Jesus performed many miracles while He was on the earth. While these miracles certainly showed the magnificent power of God, they also changed those people’s lives who were involved. Matthew 15:30 says, “And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: …” Every single one of those people walked away from the Lord and was never the same. I am sure that there were some who did not believe, but the great majority had their faith increased at the feet of Jesus.
Mark 7:24-30 records the account of the Syrophoenician woman and her sick daughter. This woman was desperate to have her daughter healed, so much so that she endured the insults cast at her by Jesus to test her faith. She had great faith which resulted in the healing of her daughter, but she had to come to Jesus. He told her, “For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.” Isaiah 53:4 says, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” Only He can truly heal those who suffer. Our suffering should not be looked upon as a heavy burden, but as an opportunity to glorify God. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” If we suffer for no apparent reason, sit at the feet of Jesus and increase your faith.
Those Who Sorrow
Another group which was found at the feet of Jesus were those who sorrow. Mark 5:21-23 says, “And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.”
Many people today sorrow because of death and sickness, but Jesus can take care of it all. There is no need to sorrow any longer. He was acquainted with sorrows in order to bathe His children in happiness. Psalm 1:1-2 says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” When one learns to trust in God by obedience, happiness is not far behind. In this world we have sorrows, but Jesus can overcome.
Those Who Sin
A most unfortunate group which sat at the feet of Jesus were those who sin. Luke 7:37-38 says, “And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.”
None of us can escape the fact of sin (Romans 3:23). We all need to sit at the feet of Jesus and ask for the release of sin. Because of His work on earth, Jesus is ideally suited to deal with sin (Hebrews 4:14-16). Sinners find this release by obedience to the gospel, which includes belief (John 3:16; 8:24), confession (Matthew 10:32-33), repentance (Acts 2:38; 3:19), baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21) and a faithful life (Revelation 2:10). Christians find this release by godly sorrow, repentance, and confession (Acts 8:22-24; 2 Corinthians 7:9-11; 1 John 1:9).
Those Who Seek
The final group which will be observed are those who seek. In Luke 10:39, Mary was seeking to hear the word of the Lord. The scripture says, “And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.” Those who want to be right in the sight of God must seek after Jesus. They must have the will to do it. No one can force another to seek Jesus. He promised that those who did seek would indeed find (Matthew 7:7). The apostle Paul also spoke of those who sought after the truth (Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:13). Without seeking the Lord, one will never be able to understand the love of Christ and be filled up with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:18-19).
All these groups of people did share a common bond: they all had faith and they all got what they needed. Faith is an absolute MUST if we want to get an answer from God (Hebrews 11:6). No matter what group you find yourself in, the Lord has an answer. He is desirous to give it to you so that you will find rest for your soul (Matthew 11:28-20). Would you have the faith to sit at the feet of Jesus and receive the help and rest you need?
Kyle Campbell