Please read: Luke 7:36-50
As we read
today’s scripture, we find a contrast between a Pharisee and an immoral woman. Apparently
to the people there, Simon the Pharisee was a “good man of God” – because of
his good works- and the woman, an unworthy sinner. But Jesus can see far more
than appearances: He sees the heart and its intentions.
We are not sure who this woman was, but one thing for sure
is that she had heard of Jesus and probably even heard him preaching: sharing
of God's love and forgiveness and healing and restoration.
She as a prostitute was
considered a woman of no value. She probably suffered insults and contempt for
a long time. But now it is different: she now has the urge -that only faith can
give- to show Jesus her repentance, in humbly submission and adoration:
“ and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began
wetting His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and
[respectfully] kissed His feet [as an act signifying both affection and
submission] and [c]anointed them with the perfume.” (7:38)
“None can truly perceive how precious Christ is, and the
glory of the gospel, except the broken-hearted. But while they feel they cannot
enough express self-abhorrence on account of sin, and admiration of his mercy,
the self-sufficient will be disgusted, because the gospel encourages such
repenting sinners.” (M. Henry)
This passage shows us what God has been telling His people
for ages about what true worship is: Even Jesus quoted this from Hosea 6:6:
“Go and
learn what this [Scripture] means: ‘I desire compassion [for
those in distress], and not [animal] sacrifice,’ for I did not
come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who
see no need to change], but sinners [those who recognize their sin
and actively seek forgiveness].” (Matthew 9:13)
In Psalm
50:8, 14, 23 we read:
“I do not reprove you for your sacrifices; Your burnt
offerings are continually before Me”… “Offer to God the sacrifice of
thanksgiving And pay your vows to the
Most High;” ...“He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving
honors Me; And to him who orders his way rightly [who follows the way that I
show him], I shall show the salvation of God.”
What is
pleasing to God is a life of wholly surrender, because He has given us the
greatest proof of His love for us: “His only begotten son, so that whoever
believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish,
but have eternal life” . (John 3:16)
Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, have
His Holy Spirit living in them. Yes, His Presence in us, through His Salvation!
Our lives are to exalt Jesus through our obedience; abiding in Him, and
reflecting His love and compassion to this fallen world.
“We must be willing to humble ourselves before God,
surrender every part of our lives to His control, and adore Him for who He is,
not just what He has done. Hebrews
12:28–29 reminds us of Deuteronomy
4:24: “Let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and
awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’” That consuming fire strips us of pride
and self-consciousness. To truly worship means we lose ourselves in the
adoration of another. Our only thought is the majesty and glory of the One we
adore”.
(gotquestions.org)
(gotquestions.org)
Yes, it is all about Jesus, for He is Worthy!
Mari
