A Seat at the Table Part Two

Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”  Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Luke 7:44-50

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The woman went to Simon’s house because she wanted to see Jesus

She didn’t care what Simon and his friends might think. She didn’t want to miss her chance to be with Jesus. Simon had missed the opportunity of a lifetime. He had so much but he gave so little

She knew that she might never have the chance again so even though she had so little yet she gave so much!

 

She wasn’t embarrassed or in a hurry. There was nothing more important on her schedule that day. While Simon probably couldn’t wait for her worship to end, she lavished the final drops of perfume on Jesus’ feet. Inwardly Simon criticized both her and Jesus because he never saw his own need. But this very special lady knew that forgiveness and grace weren’t just ideas to understand but gifts she desperately needed to receive!

 

Yet worship is more than despair at our condition, it is the expression of faith that no matter how big our sin: God’s mercy is bigger! May her story be ours – Sinned much- Repented much-Forgiven much- Loved much!

Autumn’s Humble Blush

p1020438The hydrangea blushes pink in this brief quiet lull between the August dog days and the January snow drifts. Autumn is this silent moment when we can glance over our shoulders and remember county fairs, family weddings,  grandkids birthdays and church suppers. How was your year? Did you run through every open door? Were you patient during times of testing ? Did you speak a kind word when it could make a difference? Have we any of us stopped to pray each time the Spirit called with a gentle tap on our spiritual shoulders?

This reflective moment is like the prayer before receiving the cup and the bread. It is an assessment of where we have been and where we need to go. This is the time to ask for our hearts to be cleansed and ready for God’s season of change. In the Autumn moment comes  the pink blush of humility to our souls. Then the ears of our hearts can stand on tiptoe to listen to the God who listens to our every honest prayer. He is longing to speak a word. Let’s give Him our own quiet ears to hear…

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite Isaiah 57:15