Reading 15—At the Master’s Feet
Read Mark 12:1-44
When my grandmother Alice was advanced in years it became increasingly difficult for her to hear during church. We tried various hearing aids, with mixed results. In frustration, we once asked if she wouldn’t rather stay home on a Sunday morning. “Oh, no; I need to sit at my Master’s feet, even if I can’t hear a word.”
In the 12th chapter of Mark we find ourselves sitting at our Master’s feet. Can we hear his words? He turns earthly wisdom upside down as surely as he overturned the money changers’ tables just a chapter earlier. We hear that the rejected stone will become the very foundation. We wonder about what belongs to the state, and what belongs to God. We discover the greatest commandments, and something about the nature of Christ. Finally, we may find ourselves ashamed for our love of honor and piety, and our disregard for the lowest and humblest.
Alice lived a full life, experiencing the joys and sorrows to their fullest. She knew the joy of Jesus saying, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (12:34) She knew the sorrow of “realiz that he had told this parable against them.” (12:12) As we sit at our Master’s feet, we find that “this life is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness; not health, but healing.” (Luther) As we sit at the feet of Jesus, we learn and grow in the ways of his kingdom, and rest in his endless, wondrous love.
How do these teachings challenge you?
How do they comfort you?
Holy and gracious Father, in your infinite love you sent your Son to share our human nature, and to reconcile us to you. Grant that we may more perfectly love you with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
David Anderson is a baptized child of God and a member of St. Mark’s, Asheville. He resides four miles east of town with a collection of fountain pens, a long suffering banjo, and two adoring goldfish.
