Jesus accepted an invitation from Simon, a Pharisee, to enjoy a meal at his home. I'm sure that caused a stir in and of itself. As Jesus was eating, an “immoral woman” entered the Pharisee’s home. A study note in my Bible says it was the custom of the day that needy people could come to a Pharisee’s feast for leftover food. So no one would have stopped this woman from entering. She had a “right” to be there.
Knowing her status in society, she slipped in quietly through the back door. Her need and desire for forgiveness gave her courage to slip through the kitchen, past the free food, to Jesus.
She had planned this meeting with Jesus, bringing with her a beautiful jar filled with expensive perfume. She knelt BEHIND Jesus at his feet, weeping . . . in her own eyes not worthy to kneel in front of him. As her tears fell on Jesus’ feet, she dried them with her hair and poured the perfume on His feet.
Can you feel the tenderness of the outpouring of her sorrow for her sin . . . for the way her life had turned out? I doubt that being a prostitute had been her life’s dream.
Jesus said to Simon, the Pharisee . . . “She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.” (Luke 7:47b Message Bible)
Jesus spoke to her and said, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Jesus spoke to her and said, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Lord, let us never take lightly how much we have been forgiven and what our sin cost Jesus on the cross. Lord, let our gratitude be great as we kneel at your feet and pour out our perfume of gratitude and worship. Let your redeeming love, Lord Jesus, deepen our love response to you and motivate us to share your love with those you bring across our path each day.
1 comment:
What a poignant example that girl set! I was struck by the line you said about our love response to God and about sharing His love to others... because like you & this Scripture said, her gratitude was great .... and Jesus pointed out to Simon that Simon had not provided water to wash Jesus' feet upon His arrival; Simon had not greeted Him -- yet this girl did both of those things and in great proportions! I want to be like that ... where i am SO cognizant of the great forgiveness Jesus gave to me, that i pour out my gratitude in serving and loving Him.
Also, in today's reading in Joshua, i really like Caleb's daughter! She definitely knew her purpose and went after it! And then some! She knew that what she had been given by her father had potential, but it needed more. So she purposed to go after those springs, and her father Caleb gave them to her! I imagine her to be a carbon copy of her father; how he must have loved her relentless faith and purposeful vision!
Just like the gal in Luke anointing Jesus' feet ... both knew what they wanted, what was available to them; they picked up their purpose and went after it.
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