"MUCH" pt. 2

Did you miss out on part 1 or need a refresher? Click here.

When I think of someone from the Bible who went to a ridiculous length to get what she wanted from God, I think of the woman from Luke 7:36-50.

Luke introduces this unnamed woman as she is breaking into a party to see Jesus. The party's host, Simon, was a Pharisee and religious scholar, who had invited some colleagues over to have a round table discussion. Jesus was reclining with the group when this woman rushed into the room and threw herself at his feet. She carried with her a costly jar of perfume, which she shattered in order to anoint His feet with the contents. All the while, she was uncontrollably weeping. Great tears poured down her face and onto Christ's feet as she wiped his feet with her own hair.

Insane? Perhaps.

It is possible she had clinically lost her mind. Maybe she even believed she was operating under the whim of some supernatural force (i.e. "the devil made me do it!"), but there is nothing in the story to suggest she had any negative mental or spiritual influences. Jesus did not respond to her in a harsh manner (something he did with demons). Instead, he treated her gently; not as someone out of her mind, but as an innocent child. In fact, he permitted her to persist.

Instead of insanity, her actions reveal her gratitude. This woman had realized her brokenness and need for God's forgiveness. She was realizing her love for a God who can remove the disgrace of sin, restore dreams and aspirations, and appraise value to those who feel the bankruptcy of inferiority.

In short, she had come to believe Jesus is God. Because he is God, He can turn her life around for the better. He desires to do this for everyone, regardless of what life decisions or regrettable mistakes have occurred. Some scholars suggest this woman may have been a prostitute, which may explain the depth of submission she shows Jesus. However, Luke does not outline her story, only her reaction to seeing Jesus.

When you see Jesus, who do you see? Is he some maniac who wanted to make the evening news? Or is he more? Is he the world's most famous lunatic, or is He God, in human form, deserving our lives laid down at His feet? If you believe the latter, then consider this: If he can forgive the heart of a simple, unnamed, broken woman, how MUCH can he do for you?

Today, let's go to the feet of the one who can forgive us of all of our sins. Let's live for the one who does not reject us, but receives us with open arms. He longs to forgive us MUCH.