Thursday, 6 August 2020 Luke 7:36-50
“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he, who is forgiven little, loves little." -Luke 7:47
Today’s reading shows two people of different characters approaching Jesus. One is a Pharisee and the other, a sinner woman. Let us take a look at why and how they were approaching Jesus.
The Pharisee voiced his desire to eat with Jesus and He grants it and sat down with him to eat (Luke 7:36). While eating, a sinner woman approached and seeing the way that Jesus interacted with the woman, the Pharisee questions the godliness of Jesus in his heart (Luke 7:39). A few minutes before, he was sure about Jesus’ godliness, but now he doubts it. This shows that the Pharisee’s only desire was to sit and eat with Jesus. We can still see people approaching Jesus like the Pharisee, wanting only to sit and eat; i.e. only wanting the good things— in other words, a God according to their notion.
The sinner woman, on the other hand, when she came to know that Jesus was in the Pharisee’s house, took an alabaster jar of ointment (bringing precious gifts when appearing before the Lord was customary –Deuteronomy 16:16 & 1 Samuel 9:7) and approached the Lord with this valued gift. But she hesitated to face Jesus and stood behind, weeping and washing His feet with tears, wiping them with her hair and kissing his feet and anointed them with ointment. What a wonderful approach! Can we look at what she has done?
An Earnest Desire: Her desire was to turn away from sin, that’s why she approached Jesus (Luke 7:37)- God wants each one to turn away from the wickedness and live (Ezekiel 18:23)
Understand the Sin: She knew that she was a sinner and accepted her mistakes. (1 John 1:8-9 we need to confess our sins and be transformed) – Jesus Came to save his peoples from their sins (Matt. 1:21)
Identify own inability: She hesitated to face Jesus because of her transgression but she wanted deliverance from the situation (Luke 15:18 – I will arise and go to my father and asks forgiveness) - Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. (Psalm 34:5).
Humble yourself: She was weeping, crying, and wiping Jesus feet with her hairs. She was just humbling herself and seeking his face (Joel 2:13) – Our Lord never forsakes the humble (Psalm 34:18 & Is 57:15)
Accept Jesus: Anointing Jesus with the ointment was not simply doing some actions rather she acknowledged and accepted Jesus as her Saviour and Lord – (1 John 3:15 & Rom 10:9)
Verbal interaction was not required, her actions showed her love. The One, who sees our innermost being known our desires, knows why we are approaching Him. Everything is naked before him; nothing can be hidden from Him (Heb. 4:13) as can be seen in Jesus’ answer to the Pharisee (Luke 7:40-46) “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he, who is forgiven little, loves little."(Luke 7:47). He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace" (Luke 7:50).
Countless are the blessings we have received from Jesus our Saviour. Do we love Him back the same way? Do we know His desire? He wants to abide with us; He wants the church to be ready as His bride (Rev.19:9) for the great marriage supper. We pursue minimum holiness in our personal lives, the reason we compromise with the world. But our Lord expects much more from each of us (Hebrews 12:14, 1Peter 1:15-16). So, can we approach him with the right desire?
Quote for the day: “Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair” – Blaise Pascal
Listen: ‘I stand amazed’
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