Things aren't always what they seem to be - June 21, 2010
Things aren't always what they seem to be - June 21, 2010
Devotion - Things Aren't Always What They Seem To Be - June 21, 2010
Daily devotion from Luke 7:36-50.
Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner." Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Luke 7:36-50
Jesus was invited to a Pharisee’s house for dinner. Pharisees had a reputation for being arrogant and feeling “better than thou.” As Jesus is reclining at the table, a woman who wanted to find Jesus shows up. It turns out that she too had a reputation – as being a lady of “ill repute.” But she stands behind Jesus with tears in her eyes and a gift of perfume in her hand, and she washes Jesus’ feet with her tears and anoints them with the perfume.
To the casual observer it might appear that Jesus was allowing this woman to touch him because he didn’t know what kind of a person she was. It might appear that this woman was trying to court favor with Jesus and with her kindness win his forgiveness. But things aren’t always what they seem.
That woman’s tears were tears of thanksgiving as was her gift. Jesus knew that. She must have heard Jesus’ message of forgiveness and had come to thank him. She is especially thankful because she knew her many sins had been forgiven. Jesus would die for the Pharisee’s sins too, but he brought no gifts of thanksgiving because he didn’t think he needed the forgiveness. Things aren’t always what they seem to be.
Jesus came to “seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus didn’t just come to hang out with sinners; he came to save them. This woman was the very kind of person Jesus came to rescue – sinners.
An honest look at God’s righteous demands will help us to identify with the sinful woman and not the arrogant Pharisee. And an honest look at what our Savior has done for us will make our tears joyful and our gifts thankful.
Lord, I know that I am a sinner. I know how much you have done for me to forgive me. Please accept my prayer of thanksgiving. Help me to show my gratitude in all that I do. Amen.
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