PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 7:36-39
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“What kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner.” (Luke 7:39)
We are pretty good at knowing what kind of person someone is.
We can tell by how they dress, or how they talk.
After a short conversation, we are already making judgments about people.
We size people up, and measure them by what we think we see and know.
As Jesus followers, we should know better than this.
We should know that we are all sinners, with our own issues.
We should see other people as our equals – equal in need of mercy.
We should not separate people by ‘what kind of’ person they are.
Because really only God knows them that well.
The Pharisee in this story was convinced he was better than this woman.
But Jesus sees them the same – both as sinners, both needing love.
How do I see myself, how do I see others… how does Jesus see us?
Our response to Jesus will depend on how we see ourselves.
Our appreciation of Jesus will depend on what kind of sinner we are!
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see myself as you see me. Help me to be the kind of sinner that loves you very, very much!
In many cultures – the feet are considered dirty and lowly. In many places in Asia when you sit you make sure that if you cross your feet the bottom of the soles of your feet are not directed towards someone because that would be an offense! This woman is so humbled and contrite she not only touches Jesus feet – whom she sees as a ‘holy man’ – she washes them with her tears and dries them with her hair and then pours on perfume. She sought Jesus out and she is begging for forgiveness – she wants to leave her present life of sin and sees no way out. She puts her hope in Jesus – which is why she did what she did. Probably all of her earnings is spent on this last ditch effort to find forgiveness. And she found it – and so can I if I too am sincerely contrite and admit who I am, a sinner in need of grace!
Lord thank you for letting a sinner like me approach you. Thank you for coming not to make those that are well, better, but for coming for the sick people like me.
Views of myself – how I see me; how I want others see me; how others see me; how God sees me. And the only correct way of me is through His eyes. Mary’s love of the Lord – she gave her all regardless what others thought. Wholehearted lobe she gave her Lord and I must do the same.
Whole-hearted thanksgiving to Thee I will bring
In praise of Thy marvelous deeds I will sing;
In Thee I will joy and exultingly cry,
Thy Name I will praise, O Jehovah, Most High.
Refrain:
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!
O come to Jehovah, declare ye His fame,
And give Him all honor, for just is His Name