Actions Speak Louder…
Opening Prayer
Redeemer God, You have shown how very much You love me by giving Your beloved Son to die for me.
Read LUKE 7:36-50
[36] Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. [37] When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, [38] and 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 men 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 canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” [43] Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “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-for she loved much. But he who 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.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What lesson did Jesus teach here?As I’m writing this the aroma of lasagna is coming from the kitchen and the scent from the hyacinths on the coffee table wafts across me every now and again. Smells can almost talk, can’t they? The perfume contained in the alabaster jar (38) certainly gave Jesus a powerful message of love.
There are three main characters in this scene. Simon is in a sense the thick one. Just look at the interchange of words between the sinful woman and Jesus. Yes, exactly! There aren’t any, until v. 48 when Jesus tells her that her sins are forgiven; but words aren’t necessary. Simon, the Pharisee, on the other hand, has invited Jesus to dinner without going beyond the minimum standards of hospitality (44-46). He has to have it all spelled out to him (42,43).
How can we fail to be moved by the picture of this woman? Her sorrow and repentance are in her tears. She gives her perfume, but more than that, she gives herself (see Luke 6:38); and because she loves, she is forgiven. We need to be like her, sharing with Jesus and with others what is precious to us, thus reaping untold and unexpected rewards.
Apply
In what practical way can you show Jesus your love today? To who else can you show his love?
Closing prayer
Loving Lord, increase my love for You and give me a heart to share Your love lavishly with those around me.
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