Women Friends of the Bridegroom JesusНамуна

Day 6: The Disciple Who Listened

Mary of Bethany

“...Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.” – Luke 10:39 (NIV)

Long before the Great Commission echoed from the lips of the risen Christ — “Go and make disciples!” — there was a woman who, silently, illustrated what it means to be a disciple. Her name was Mary of Bethany.

Mary enters the story seated at Jesus’ feet in her home, while her sister, Martha, is busy with preparations. At first glance, Mary may seem passive, perhaps negligent. But Jesus sees it differently. He defends her posture and praises her choice:

“Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:42 (NIV)

Mary’s devotion was not laziness — it was clarity. She saw something others missed: that the greatest ministry doesn’t start with hands, but with hearts in tune with Him. The highest calling is not to do something for Jesus, but to be with Jesus.

That’s where every mission begins: communion before commission.

In John 12, we meet Mary again. Jesus is just days from the cross. At a gathering in someone’s home, Mary pours out her most precious possession — a jar of alabaster perfume — at Jesus’ feet. Her act is extravagant, shocking, even offensive. Judas calls it waste. Jesus calls it worship.

Because Mary had spent time at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him, perhaps she knew something the other disciples hadn’t yet understood: Jesus was going to die. Her closeness to Him, somehow, made her heart sensitive to what others missed. “She has done a beautiful thing,” Jesus said. “She has prepared My body for burial.”

In this gesture, Mary’s love became prophetic. Jesus said:

“…Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told…” Mark 14:9 (NIV)

That is the greatness of devotion. Mary shows us that the life of a disciple doesn’t begin on a mission trip or behind a pulpit. It begins at His feet — in the silence, in the surrender, in the pouring out of what is most precious.

Through Mary’s eyes, we see Jesus as the One who is worthy of everything — our time, our treasure, our tears. She listened when others were distracted. She gave when others calculated.

Listening is not a step below serving — it is a step above. Loving Jesus extravagantly is the goal. The gospel is preached most powerfully through a life fully surrendered to Christ.

Mary was the only one who truly understood — she anointed Jesus for burial. When others couldn’t perceive it, Mary saw what was coming.

How? Because she was paying attention, watching. Her love attuned her soul to God’s timing, recognizing the season and responding with love.

The Great Commission begins at the cross. What Mary did became part of the gospel story.

There is a depth of understanding that comes only through communion. Mary’s proximity gave her discernment.

Mary chose the better part. She sat, she wept, she worshiped — and from that posture came revelation, love, and a legacy that has touched every generation.

Mary shows us that the deepest fruit in God’s mission comes from the deepest roots. Those who sit at His feet are the ones He sends with power. Radical love for Christ fuels evangelism.

Today we are sent — to go, disciple, serve, proclaim. But we must do it from a place of intimacy, fellowship. Apart from Him, we can do nothing.

Just as John the Baptist recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God, Mary of Bethany recognized that He would die — because she paid attention and believed what He said.

Jesus is still looking for disciples like Mary — those who pour out their lives at His feet so they can rise in His authority and understanding.

My Prayer:

Jesus, help me to slow down and listen to Your voice above all others. Quiet the noise in my heart and teach me to treasure Your words. Show me where I’ve been hiding. Give me a heart that loves You without limits and sees nothing as too costly for You. May I never lose sight of the cross. Keep my heart tender to Your sacrifice and bold in sharing Your love with others. Jesus, be my portion. May everything I do flow from deep communion with Your heart. Amen.