SITTING FOR INSTRUCTION
Yesterday, i discussed with us the benefit of rest. Today i desire to talk with us onon the spiritual significance of sitting. Let us examine Luke 10:39
KJV: And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
ESV: And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.
NIV: She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
AMP: And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching.
40
KJV: But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
ESV: But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
NIV: But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
AMP: But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]!
41
KJV: And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
ESV: But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
NIV: “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,
AMP:But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;
42
KJV: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
ESV: but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
NIV: but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
The text under review tells of a visit made by Jesus to the house of his friend Lazarus. Jesus then seized the opportunity to teach. In that same gathering were Mary and Martha sisters to Lazarus. Mary decided to sit to listen to Jesus while Martha decided to get busy in the kitchen. Of course, Jesus and others have to eat. Let me quickly say this from observation,
It seems easier for the elder to sit due to age than it is for adolescent or a youth to sit.
However, sitting is a must for people of all ages, if you must sit with kings, you must learn to sit
HE WHO SITS GATHERS FOOD WITH WHICH TO FEED KINGS
In this context, sitting is not to be idle; I’ll want us to consider 2 reasons why we must sit
For spiritual receptivity
Deeper life
FOR SPIRITUAL RECEPTIVITY (Acts 2:41)
It takes sitting down to receive instruction; it takes sitting down to eat the word (bread). You will remember when it was time to feed over 5,000, Jesus instructed that they be made to sit. Sir, when you sit, you see mysteries, you don't receive instructions while running, you run after you must have received instructions.
Sir, your marriage is a race, education is a race, finance is a race, but you can’t run it effectively without instructions for the journey. When Jesus was to send out the 70, he took time to give them instructions. There was result.
When you sit, you get the word, when you get the word, you dictate for the world. Please stop running if you haven't gotten the much needed instruction. Do you remember that day when you had to shout at your younger one because they were in a hurry to go for an errand even while you were still dishing out instruction.
You are most likely going to commit error while doing a good thing because you have not being instructed.
Sir, have you wondered why trees are not planted in the air, they have to sit in the ground for their root to go deep and eventually bear good fruits. Please help me tell that your neighbor to SIT.
When you welcome the teacher, please sit to learn. The other day, you failed to sit in the early hours of the day, you simply rushed out. You know how it went. It saddens my heart that even in church we find it hard to sit, ask that choir member, she will tell you better, just like Martha, she won't sit during sermon, No that's when she realizes she has to adjust her dress, It’s the fact. Ask the usher, he will tell you it is during sermon you remember you have to drop a note for someone at the front row.
Like Jesus, I'm not condemning any of these noble acts, but don't misplace the priority. Jesus is more interested in servicing you than the service you want to render.
Sir, even Jesus presently sits at the right hand of the father. For you to be spiritually receptive, you just need to sit.
Someone else has had that Rhema before, that you have this business idea is not enough to set out. Sit to learn. Elijah had to be fed for days with bread (the word) and water (the word still) for the journey ahead.
WHERE TO SIT
You are a product of the grace you sit under. Please sit at the feet of Jesus, do not sit with doctrines, sit with the word.
BENEFIT OF SITTING
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU SIT
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
The word of Christ. It’s not a lie that the word of God is potent to give you your possession
When you carry the word, you become loaded, when you are loaded you become needed
The world needs word carriers, this is because the word of God is:
