Hi dear readers. I studied this passage and it rocked me to my core tonight. This is the story about when Jesus was invited to eat dinner with Simon the Pharisee. As they were eating, they were interrupted by a "sinful" woman who thrust herself upon Jesus, at His feet. She was so distraught that she fell at his feet, cried on his feet, poured perfume on his feet, wiped his feet off with her hair, and kissed his feet, the whole time He was there. She was a mess. Why? Maybe because she knew she was so sinful. Maybe she lost all hope. Maybe she knew He was the Son of God, the Savior of the world and fell down to worship Him. I don't know. I think she knew who He was and that He was the only One who could help her. She was a mess because she was expressing her love to Him, while inadvertently begging and pleading with Him to help her.
Whatever the case, my heart went out to this dear, sweet, precious woman. My heart was literally breaking for this stranger that lived over 2,000 years ago. I found myself tearing up for her, hoping my Lord Jesus would do something for her. While Simon the Pharisee stood in judgement over her for being a"sinner," Jesus loved her because she loved Him. He saved her and forgave ALL her sins right then and there because she loved Him and had faith that He would save her. It didn't matter who she was, what she had done, where she had come from, she put her faith in Jesus and loved Him. She knew He could save her and that's what He did. Let's read the passage. Then we'll continue:
Luke 7:36-50 NIV
[36] When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. [37] A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. [38] As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. [39] When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” [40] Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. [41] “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” [43] Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. [44] Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. [46] You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. [47] Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” [48] Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [49] The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” [50] Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
When a person has been beat down by sin and it has overwhelmed and consumed them, they have a desperate need for the Lord Jesus to save them, to help them, to bring their lives out of the muck of life. When they find Him today, hope is rekindled. They know without a doubt that Jesus can help them. They know that He can save them. When they are drawn to Him like this woman was, nothing will keep them apart. By their faith and love, Jesus saves them like He saved this woman. Lives are completely saved, changed, and turned upside down. Jesus said,"Whoever comes to me I will never drive away." We see here that's exactly what He means.
What's the lesson? Don't get in the way of that process like Simon the Pharisee was trying to do. He saw a sinner. He passed judgement over her. He didn't love her or show compassion for her at all. When we see people in their lives, show love. Don't be repulsed by their lives, don't look at them differently, don't treat them differently, etc. Treat all with the same love, respect, dignity, and mercy that God has given you. Why? So they can be saved too. That's the whole point. So they can be saved too. God wants all to be saved and makes His appeal through us, the Church. How? By the way we love people. Thus, "Love never fails!"
As Christians, our love for everyone should draw people to Jesus, never push them away from Him.
Church? There are countless numbers of people on this planet, who are just like this dear, sweet, woman in the text. They need Jesus. Let's always help them come to Him by our love and actions. He can help them, just like He helped us. He can save them, just like He saved us.
Please share with others.
Love You All,
Jeffrey Post
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