SOAP 09/24/2011; Luke 7:37-38

Today's reading: Ezra 1; Psalms 84,85; Luke 7

S)"³⁷ And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, ³⁸ and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume."

Luke 7:37-38 (NASB)

O) So, first of all, the term "who was a sinner" is a polite way of saying the girl slept around. I mean, that sounds crude, but there's really no way to beat around the bush. The footnote in my Bible is even a little bit watered-down, in that it says "an immoral woman." So, the second thing that occured to me is that the alabaster vial of perfume may not have been... kosher. i.e., it seems quite likely to me that one of her gentlemen callers may have produced this perfume for his lady-friend... So, enter this woman, in all of her brokenness and shame, desperate for forgiveness, and she brings the only thing of value that she has, which may actually have been an ill-gotten gain. So, she does the only thing she really can, she takes the lowly position to wash the feet of Jesus, offering what may be the best thing she has to offer.

A) Often times, when I'm dealing with sin, I start feeling shame build up. Whether it's a slow, sort of unnoticed feedback of shame, or a heavy brickload that lands squarely on my chest, the end result is that I'm extremely reluctant to enter God's presence again. I begin to dread the thought of coming to God to offer Him anything at all, by way of an offering, whether it's worship, praise, tithe, or even a simple contrite heart. I need to take a serious encouragement from this woman, in the truest sense of that word. She had crazy-courage to come before the Lord and offer her modest offering; she couldn't have even been sure that Jesus would forgive her. I do, however, know full-well that Jesus will - even has! - already forgiven me, before I ever even attempt to come before Him! Even if my tears start in bitter shame, I need to force myself to my knees before God and offer Him all I have, until those tears inevitably turn to tears of joy, at knowing His mercy, kindness, compassion, and grace.

P) Father, I am unworthy! Thank You for offering Jesus to take my punishment, God. You deserve everything and I have nothing but things I've been given, tears of regret, and unabashed worship. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to force myself before the LORD, offering whatever I can. I will love much because I have been forgiven much. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.