Opening Prayer: "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening..."
Reading: Luke 7: 36-50
What a contrast! Jesus compares a holy man, who tries with all his might to do right by God but does so out of a desire to be better than everyone, with a woman who is a notorious sinner. We are not told what or how she sins. Doesn't everybody sin some in their lives? Why is she singled out by the holy man as "a sinner?" One is trying hard to be perfect "for God," the other is only overwhelmed with faith and gratitude for grace she knows she has received!
This passage takes the cost of grace seriously. There is no such thing as "free grace." Yes, forgiveness is free to us, a gift generously given, but it was certainly costly to God. This woman who dropped her tears on Jesus' feet and poured expensive perfume on them understood the cost of God's grace and couldn't help but pour out her gratitude and love on Jesus.
One of the most moving worship experiences of the year for me is "Good Friday," when we force ourselves to face the cross, touch the splintery wood, feel the weight, envision the bloody pains, and remember our cruelty to God. We don't do this because of a morbid fascination. We do this so we don't forget how enormously expensive and precious Jesus' gift of salvation to us is! What can we do, then, to love and honor the Lord with all of our hearts, like "the sinner" in the story?
Life Question: How can I love Jesus more lavishly this week?
Closing Prayer: When I am weak, tempted, tired, and stressed, remind me how deep and wide your love is and that nothing can separate me from it. Show me who else needs to hear about this generous love, and give me courage to share. Amen.
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