Imagine the scene . . . a fine dinner fit for only a Pharisee, yet an immoral woman crashed the party. A woman of the city.
Dusty roads brought Jesus to the house of Simon. Custom and hospitality would have the host wash a guest’s feet with water and anoint their head with oil. Ignored guest, Jesus reclines at the table, when a woman enters to fall at His dust.
At the table we see what worship looks like . . . grateful, humble, and trembling boldness. Crying, she wipes His feet with tears, then pours her best over His feet, costly perfume from the alabaster box.
Kissing and wiping dirty feet with locks of love unveiled, she openly worships and loves her Forgiver. The intruder came prepared to anoint and worship.
The earthly cost of her alabaster contents was equal to a common worker’s annual wage. She “wastes” her best on Him. He pours out His best on her, and on us, from the cross.
Then she will be welcome at the table, no longer on the floor.
As she cleanses His feet, He cleanses her heart.
The host was caught up in judging. Simon says, within himself . . . hmmm, if this man were a prophet, he would know the character of this sinner-woman and not allow her to touch Him.
God’s messiah explains with a story . . . it “includes” the three of them . . .
“If a creditor (Jesus) is owed 500 coins from one debtor (sinful woman), and 50 from another debtor (Simon), and tells both of the debtors who can’t pay what they owe they are forgiven the debt, who would love him best?”
The self-righteous Simon asks, “the one who is forgiven much?”
“You are right” He answers.
The extravagant-worship woman recorded in Luke 7:36-50, tells a different account than another recorded in the other three gospels.
She went outside of culture and custom to worship the One who loved her first. As she bowed humble low and looked up into His eyes, He looked into her soul, knowing her better than anyone.
The unnamed woman will be remembered for her overwhelming love. She entered bound by past and left set free. Scandalous grace.
This story reminds me how God accepts everyone. No sin is too great to be forgiven.
Jesus uses broken vessels. Do we smell like we have been in His presence?
Because you believed, you are saved from your sins. Go in peace. Luke 7:50
. . . and we can . . and I do . . .
Verna
Verna,
Oh how beautiful. God just poured it on you, even as you are being refreshed. ThAks for sharing.
Yes, He did pour into the dry places . . .thanks Glenda!
I’m reminded yet again of His love for me…a sinner for whom much has been forgiven. Thank you, Verna!
I’m grateful for reminders of how extravagant a love He has for us, and deserves back from us! Thanks, Vonda!
Sometimes, I get really stuck on my sinful mistakes and how rotten everything else is–sometimes sinks me into a depression where all I can think about is the guilt and stupidity of everything. I really appreciate the reminder of God’s tremendous love for us, and that we are redeemed. It is so important and wonderful when we look upon the face of Jesus Christ and are reminded that we are redeemed by His incredible, undeserved grace!
That’s true for me, also Janeen . . . so good to know that we can know a loving and forgiving God who gives grace to the frail! Thank you for your insight!
I feel like the Lord is on a roll this week remind me each day of my failures! After reading your post I see that He is on a roll reminding me of His love and how human I am, and it’s ok. If I allow my self to be human then He is God and I allow His light to shine through my broken heart and cracks.
Thank you Verna!
. . . and don’t we love the whisper of the Spirit that keeps us in place? Thank you so much, Adriana for sharing your heart!
Awesome way to relay such a powerful story of our God’s ability and desire to make us right before Him. Thank you for depicting it in such a beautiful way, Verna! Reminds us that we can sit at His feet, regardless of how many times and ways we fail. What an awesome God!
. . . and we are assured of always being welcome to His nearness, right Laura? Thank you for following, love to hear your comments!
Brokeness can come in so many different ways in our lives. Whether its through a trial we are going through or a hurtful word spoken from aloved one or a long endured thorn in the flesh. The Lord Jesus continues to remind me of His enduring love for me-a sinner- who is not worthy to wash His feet but yet His righeousness covers me and I am called His! THat is love in the fullest.
You’re so right, His righteousness is love in the fullest, and we’re so grateful . . . thank you, Joy!
So glad Jesus is not a pharisee. So praying that I am not either.
Thanks!
We’ll pray together (for each other!) . . . Thanks Liz!