She Loved Much
Luke 7:37-38
37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, 38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.
NKJV
I love this passage. When the sinful woman heard where Jesus was, she made plans to not only go to him, but to bring him something. She made preparation to go into the presence of God. Let that sink in for a minute. Just as the Magi refused to visit Jesus empty handed at his birth, perhaps this woman began to frantically tear through her possessions to find just the right gift to bring to the Savior of the World. Or perhaps, her mind immediately flew to just the right thing- the best she had to give.
She chose her alabaster flask or box. An alabaster jar was carved, expensive, and beautiful. In her day, Jewish parents would customarily give oil or perfume to their daughters to pour over her husband’s feet at the time of consummation following her wedding. It was a dowry of sort. It was most likely the most expensive and valuable possession that she had. Regardless of her reason for doing what she did, it held great significance to Jesus.
This woman showed him her love in every action that she did. Her ministrations to Jesus are archaic in our eyes. This type of treatment would seem bizarre in our day, but in her day, there were certain customs and practices that she was carrying out.
Washing his feet, was to refresh and cleanse them after walking everywhere in the dry, dusty climate with sandaled feet. Anointing his head with oil was a common courtesy of the day. It showed hospitality and esteem to the guest, as well as possibly moisturizing his skin after being out in the hot, dry elements. The kiss was a common type of greeting, showing honor and affection.
Her gift was birthed from love and demonstrated humility, sacrifice and service.
She brought her gift to Jesus. She loved lavishly and expensively. Understand, once the jar was broken it could not be put back together again. This was an irrevocable act of worship. We, too, are broken vessels. God has chosen to use us, clay pots, to be carriers of the inestimable worth of the precious presence of the Holy Spirit. He chooses to place that essence in a broken, earthly vessel, one riddled with humanity. But the beauty of it all, is that as we allow ourselves to be broken in his presence. As we crucify our flesh, sacrifice our preferences and crutches, there are cracks left in our surface. Cracks which allow the Holy Spirit to seep out. That way his fragrance can fill all the earth, as the fragrance of her sacrifice filled the atmosphere. Today, God chooses to allow his precious Spirit to be poured out through believers.
What do you have to give back to Jesus? What act of worship do you have to offer?
Jesus accepts us not on our own behavior or acts, but on our acceptance and love for him. Jesus accepts brokenness. Jesus does not reject sinful people, He sees their worth and value, regardless of past sin or wrong choices. How can we prostrate our lives to Jesus? What sacrifice of sacred surrender can we offer our King? Is your life an act of love to Jesus? What have you poured out for Jesus? Pour out your heart! Pour out your own plans for your life. Pour out your gifts.
Dear Lord, anoint me to worship you in a way that blesses your heart. Forgive me for the times that I have withheld my gifts and worship for you. Forgive me when pride caused me to hold back from earnest worship. Help me to worship as she did, help me to worship as one who loves much.
Sherri
Such a lovely post.
Thank you, Denise for the uplifting feedback. Her courageous love inspires me!
Such a beautiful post, I want to give my most precious things to Jesus Christ, and that is my all, my life, my love and obedience to Him because He saved me from a life of sin and i can never repay Him, I can only serve Him with all my heart, blessings Gloria