PENITENTS, DISCIPLES, SUPPLICANTS, WORSHIPERS.

(Read Luke 7:36-50; 10:38-42; Jno. 11:28-46; 12:1-9.)

In the first of these cases, we have one with no name is Scripture save that of sinner, thus suiting each of us who, through grace, have learned to judge ourselves as such. But she is "at His feet" who, in that very time and place, and to herself, and in the presence of enemies round about, declared Himself Saviour, and of her "whose sins were many." How blessed, then, to be there, and in such a case as proved by her that day, and by how many since with like result!

Sins were alone her title-sins great and many; and coming thus, He would not, could not spurn her,-"in no wise cast her out;" but " at His feet" would teach her that sins brought there were sins "forgiven." Blessed fact! A sinner’s sins and a Saviour’s love can thus meet together, and to such an end, for "He is faithful, and cannot deny Himself."

There she weeps tears of penitence, doubtless realizing that "the sacrifices of God are a broken and a contrite heart He will not despise." (Ps. 51:17.)

But not only are er tears shed upon Him, but for Him as well. He who "receiveth sinners" such as she has no welcome where she finds Him. A feast is spread, 'tis true, but not for a Saviour's heart; and there she scans with love's sensitive eye the neglect with which He has been treated, and supplies the lack unbidden. Her heart poured out in tears will wash His feet, her hair (a glory to her) serves to wipe them, her lips press their kisses upon them, and her hands anoint them.

This, Simon had not done ;-asked Him to " eat with him," but had not received Him to his heart, as witnessed thus:"no water for His feet," as to a guest-no kiss in greeting, as to a friend-no anointing, as to one he delighted to honor. But a sinner supplies all, and better far than Simon's hands and lips could, even had they performed it as their task.

Thus we view her, sinner above sinners, " at His feet," and with what blessed results ! He declares her, before all, to be forgiven-" frankly forgiven " -many sins forgiven, and to herself what words!

" Thy sins are forgiven ",…,….,… Pardon.
"Thy faith hath saved thee".,…… .Salvation.
" Go in peace ",….,..,,,.,.,,..,., Peace.

All hers; for " where sin abounded, grace did much more abound;"-unsearchable riches of Him who "though rich, for her sake became poor, that she through His poverty might be rich."

2. Next, Mary of Bethany sitting " at His feet," a learner. Martha had "received Him into her house," so it is not the question of a Saviour here; and she too is busy serving, so it is not that of owning Him as Master, but of receiving from Him as Benefactor and Friend. And Mary "sat at His feet, and heard His word," thus choosing "that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Blessed though it be to trust Him as our Saviour, or seek to serve Him as our Lord, yet happier still to give Him His "better" place of Giver, and we to be receivers of His grace, who had come from heaven, not to be enriched by us, but to impart treasures of eternal good. Mary realized this fact, saw that He had come, "not to be ministered unto, but to minister,"-owns that He, whose place was the Father's bosom, has come amongst us, not to receive from, but to enrich us; and thus takes her place and gives Him His-"the less to be blessed of the better."

Oh, to learn well her lessons!-"sitting at His feet," one looking up into His face, expectant from Him, "hearing His word;" thus learning what is in His heart, and what is His will concerning us, through being in communion with Himself. How truly "that good part" estimated so by our Lord Himself, and yet, alas! how often missed by many of us (equally dear to His heart, and welcome to be as near,) we may truly own! Oh, that we may reach it more and more, earnestly desiring His approval and this place where alone we can learn what merits it, " receiving with meekness the ingrafted Word," "as newborn babes, desiring the sincere milk of" it; "nourished up in the words of faith," " sanctified and cleansed with the washing of water by "it, having it "discern the thoughts and intents of the heart," and "dwell in us richly in wisdom and spiritual understanding."

3. Again, Mary of Bethany, but sorrow and death overcast with gloom the scene which now we view, as often it may be with us. Lazarus, the brother of Martha and Mary, has been sick, and their yearning hearts send word to Jesus that he whom He loved was sick; but He has failed to come to them. " Two days still He abode in the same place where he was," and delayed His journey. At last He comes, but to find Lazarus asleep in death, and the sisters bowed in their deep sorrow ; but yet herein only to find the more fitting occasion to display His tender love and mighty power. Martha meets Him first, but failing to enter into His thoughts, runs to tell Mary, " The Master is come, and calleth for thee;" and at once, on hearing this, she goes forth hastily to meet Him. Casting herself "at His feet" she weeps out her tale of sorrow, as Martha previously, and in answer, hears His groans and sees His tears of blessed sympathy, and later, His power to deliver.

Such are the sorrows of our pathway through this world. Sorrows we cannot miss, and happy are we if found, as Mary, " at His feet," while passing through them. Be they of what character they may, this is the place to bring them all, pouring out our hearts " in prayer and supplication, making our requests known unto Him." Have we not too beloved ones who are sick, or still unsaved, who lie heavy on our hearts, and sorrows of many kinds in which to seek His sympathy and learn His love? Have we not many too who, though " alive from the dead," are bound in garments of death-entangled by the world ? Let us, then, also cry unto Him who is able to deliver, on their behalf, and prove His readiness to hear and answer, honoring all the faith that trusts Him.

4. Again, at Bethany, and surrounded by those His grace has befriended, a feast is made for Jesus. Lazarus is seated at the table with Him, Martha serving Him, and Mary once more "at His feet"- not now to hear as a learner, to supplicate as a mourner, but impart as a worshiper, "anointing His feet with ointment, and wiping them with her hair." The dark shadow of the cross is forecast upon this happy scene, dark plans of enemies, who hate Him for all His love. Mary's heart, with the true instinct of love, can recognize, and now feels she must use this moment to express her heart's affection ere it pass, and the opportunity has fled.

How long it may have taken this lowly and devoted heart to gain her precious treasure, with which she now "anoints Him for His burial," we may not know; but, with the full wages of a laborer, it would take a year; and for her, a woman, and in such humble circumstances, how much longer still! But this we know, precious and costly though her treasure is, now must it be given, put into the grave, as it were, with Jesus, and yet willingly she yields it up. Some may find fault, and charge her with waste, and neglect of others; but He absorbs her heart, and her action and devotedness of love well suits His own. "Let her alone," is His stern rebuke for those who interfere with so sacred expression of her love and appreciation of His worth ; "against the day of My burying hath she kept it." His loving commendation of her faith as well, that knew " when to keep and when to cast away;" and thus He sets honor upon the grateful outpouring of our heart's love and adoration, whether now or then.

Thus may we be led to find our place, from first to last of our journey here below, from the moment of our souls' trusting Him as Saviour, until received to Himself above, as penitents, learners, supplicants, and worshipers "at His feet " and to Him be all the praise! B.C.G.