sitting at the feet of Jesus

My friend, whose father is dying, asked a rhetorical question the other day that has had me thinking a lot. What is it like sitting at the feet of Jesus?

"Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the steam beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. but he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great." Luke 6:47-49 also see Matthew 7:24-27

For visual learners, we might think of sand castles at the beach that fall immediately, when the tide brings the waves within reach. Some worldly beliefs are built on sand as a sand castle. Compared to the everlasting gospel, such building is shaky indeed.

"And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." Mosiah 3:17

"This is the stone which was set an naught of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:11-12

Jesus Christ, the Rock, is the foundation of the gospel. Belief in Jesus as the Savior of the world is the only way to obtain salvation. He taught us to understand and live by gospel principles. This is the foundation and path to salvation. Just because some today say that the commandments and examples of Jesus are outdated does not make it so. Old Testament, New Testament, or Another Testament, He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." 1 Corinthians 10:1-4

There is only one Rock, one foundation, upon which to build. From the beginning of time it has been Jesus, his mission, his teachings, and his covenants. The Rock never refered to anyone other than Jesus Christ--not even Peter as some suppose.

"When Jesus cam\e unto the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? and they said, some say that thou are John the Baptist: some Elias; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." Matthew 16:13-18

This does not tell us that Peter was the Rock. Jesus is the rock, the only name whereby men can be saved and build a secure foundation. So what does this passage mean? It means that Peter's knowledge of Jesus as the Christ was a revelation from God the Father. Here Jesus tells us that His CHURCH was to be built on the principle of continuing revelation. Knowledge or testimony that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of the Living God is only obtained individually by personal revelation. His church can only stand if each and every member has personal revelation of this truth, just as Peter did.

To some the gift of faith is given from early on in life; to others gaining a testimony of the truthfulness of Jesus and His mission is a struggle. I can say with assurity that Jesus lives and loves me. He sacrificed all for me. He overcame death for me. He planned ahead to provide a road map for my way back home through His Word. He listens and answers when I pray. He wants me to sit at His feet in the life to come and now through His scriptures. He is my Savior, my Redeemer, my friend.