We Worship At His Feet (At The Feet Of Jesus)

We Worship At His Feet

Post Retreat Bible Study

Matthew 28:1–10

[1] Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. [2] And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. [3] His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. [4] And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. [5] But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. [6] He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. [7] Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” [8] So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. [9] And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. [10] Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.”

Revelation 1:12–19

[12] Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, [13] and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. [14] The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, [15] his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. [16] In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.

[17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, [18] and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. [19] Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.

What’s The Point?

These passages of Scripture show us that falling at Jesus’ feet is still something we should be doing. There are numerous examples of people falling at Jesus’ feet during his earthly ministry; these are the only two examples we have of people falling at Jesus’ feet after his resurrection. This is the third study in At The Feet Of Jesus, the 2026 Fall Retreats Bible study, and the one to work through after the retreat.

Let’s look at Matthew 28. First, we must acknowledge the emotions of this moment. The women go to his tomb to find it open and Jesus missing—crazy! Then, an angel appears to them and proclaims the resurrection—insane! Then, on their way back to tell the disciples Jesus appears to them—mind blowing! And in the middle of all this heightened emotion both the Marys respond exactly right, “they took hold of his feet and worshiped him” (Matthew 28:9).

The disciple Thomas, commonly referred to as doubting Thomas, gave one of the best verbal responses to seeing Jesus resurrected when he exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). But the speechless response of the Marys is just as beautiful and just as profound. Both of these actions are examples that we should follow today. There are times when we should proclaim the truth about God and worship him with our thoughts and words, and there are times when we should be silent, humbly bow at his feet, and cling to him because we realize how infinitely valuable he is.

Next, let’s look at Revelation 1. We are not going to get into the weeds on what all the details of this passage might mean. We are just going to focus on who this passage is talking about, Jesus. This is illustrative language, meaning it is using words to describe Jesus’ beauty, majesty, and glory more than the actual specifics of his appearance. John is not trying to tell us the specific bronze color of his feet but is telling us about Jesus’ strength and radiant glory. In this description, John is telling us that Jesus is powerful, beautiful, intense, commanding, and too glorious to fully take in. It is no wonder that John’s reaction is to fall down at the feet of the majesty and authority of Jesus.

Now, let’s compare Matthew 28 and Revelation 1. The Marys fall down and worship him for joy of seeing him risen; John falls down as though he was dead because he is fearful from the intense picture of the resurrected and exalted Lord. The Marys see Jesus in his earthly form; John sees Jesus as the almighty ruler of heaven and earth. Interestingly, in both accounts Jesus tells them not to be afraid. Also, in both accounts, they are told to bear a message: the Marys take a message to the rest of the disciples and John is told to write these things down.

We learn here that fear is not a wrong response to the Lord, but we are not to live out of continual fear. When we come to the Lord it should be in fear and reverence and worship, but we see in both of these passages that worship and fear are starting points for further obedience. We also read in the Psalms and Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7, 9:10).

What we must learn from these passages, and all the passages where people fall at Jesus’ feet, is that we come to him in humble submission and worship. This posture acknowledges our need and inability and his perfection and power. We must approach the Lord knowing who he is and who we are. This right worship (or if you want the $5 word, orthodoxy) will then lead to right living (orthopraxy, another $5 word). We should seek to know God more and more so that we can continually worship him rightly, fall at his feet, and then obey whatever commands he gives to us.

Scripture Memorization

Psalm 111:10

[10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever!

Prayer

Father God, I am unworthy and unable to behold you, but you sent Jesus to make me worthy and give me the ability to know you. Help me to know Jesus more and more everyday and reveal my sin to me. Never let me grow numb to who Jesus is and what he has done for me. Lead me to bow at your feet constantly, so that I always remember my need for a savior. I want to worship you rightly and serve others well; convict me when I do either of those poorly. Thank you, Lord. I bow at your feet and worship you because you are worthy. Amen.

Reflection

• Do you have a proper view of the Lord? Does that lead you to a proper fear of the Lord?
• What actions do you regularly take that help you bow at the feet of Jesus? Or what are you going to start doing to regularly lead you to the feet of Jesus?
• Spend some time in silence before the Lord. Like the Marys did in Matthew 28, just spend time at his feet.

Discussion

• What are some other passages of Scripture that should lead us to have a proper fear of the Lord?
• What does bowing at Jesus’ feet look like in our everyday lives?
• Read the Revelation 1 passage again. What other things should we think about Jesus based on John’s vivid description?