As an elementary school teacher, children sat at my feet regularly, especially for story time. A good book could always capture their attention.

In Scripture, we find that a number of people also sat at the feet of Jesus. In Luke 8, we find three different characters at Jesus’ feet. Let see who and why.

Luke 8:26-39 tells the story of Jesus healing a demon-possessed man. When town folk came to see what happened, it says, “[T]hey found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind” (Luke 8:35b). Whether the newly healed man was expressing his gratitude or listening to Jesus teach, he humbly placed himself at his Healer’s feet.

Next, back on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, we find Jairus, a synagogue ruler falling at Jesus’ feet, pleading for Him to come heal his dying daughter.

Then, while Jesus was on His way to Jairus’ home, a woman with a bleeding issue came up behind Jesus and touched His clothing in hopes of healing. When Jesus realized what happened, we read, “Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet” (Luke 8:47a).

Finally, in Luke 10:39, we find Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, sitting at the Lord’s feet. She was not there to show gratitude, request healing, or as one who needed special attention. Martha sat as a student of the Rabbi.

In Jesus’ day, a rabbi’s students or disciples would sit at their rabbi’s feet to listen and learn. Then, they would do all they could to become like their rabbi.

May Jesus be our Rabbi, our Teacher, and may we regularly “sit at His feet” to listen and learn from Him.