Mary, the sister of Martha, is mentioned three times in the NT. Each time, the Scriptures say she is at the feet of the Lord. 

The first mention is in Luke 10:39. The Lord had come to Martha’s home and was teaching. Luke says that Mary “sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word.” While there, she had the privilege of hearing the greatest Teacher and Prophet who ever lived. The Lord praises her for her attitude and actions. He says that she has chosen the “good part.”   

The second time Mary is mentioned is in John 11:32. Her brother Lazarus had just died, and the Lord comes once again to Martha and Mary’s home. When Mary hears that Jesus has come, she meets Him and falls at His feet. In His presence, she would soon see Him raise her brother from the dead. 

The third time Mary is mentioned is in John 12:3, where a dinner was held in the Lord’s honor. Mary approached Him, took very expensive perfume, and “anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair.”   

While Mark does not mention Mary’s name, he records what Mary did on this third occasion. He adds that she anointed His head as well (Mark 14:3). This was an act of devotion towards, and love to, the Lord. 

Mary was rebuked by those present at this dinner because she had “wasted” so much money on something they considered frivolous. The money that could have been obtained from selling the perfume could have been better spent. But the Lord again praises Mary for what she did at His feet. She had served Him as He was heading to His death on the cross (Mark 14:8) 

She would be rewarded for what she had done. God’s people would talk about it whenever the life of the Lord was discussed. It will also be discussed in eternity (Mark 14:9). I am pretty confident that the Lord was saying Mary will be great in His kingdom. 

Sitting at the feet of the Lord is a picture of discipleship. All believers are called to be like Mary. We cannot literally sit at the Lord’s feet to hear Him teach us, but He has left us His words. We can “hear” them in the Scriptures. As we study them and ask His Spirit to help us understand, we are doing what Mary did. We will hear Him speak. 

We will never see the Lord literally raise somebody from the dead, but disciples who walk by the Spirit will see Him work in them. Paul says in Rom 8:23 that they will see the first fruits of the Spirit. The Spirit will transform the disciple more and more into the image of Christ (2 Cor 3:18). Believers who figuratively sit at His feet will experience His miraculous power, just as Mary did when she witnessed her brother’s being raised from the dead. 

And, just like Mary at the dinner, disciples who sit at Christ’s feet will be rewarded. This will occur both in this life and in the one to come. 

In the NT, Mary teaches us a lesson by example: If you are a believer, sit at the Lord’s feet.