Advent Devotional 2021
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Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’’ Luke 7:50
Near the end of a chapter filled with faith, hope and love we find one of the most beautiful stories in the Bible . . . a story of three people: a religious leader, an immoral woman, and, of course, Jesus . . . a story that should speak to each of us today.
A Pharisee named Simon had invited Jesus to his home, and as they were eating, in barges this strange woman, who not only was not invited, but, as verse 37 tells us, “had lived a sinful life.” And once inside, she kneels before Jesus and washes his feet – not with water but with tears streaming from her own face – and dries his feet – not with a towel but with her own hair. And then she kisses the Messiah’s feet and pours perfume on them!
How humble and loving she was!
The Pharisee, meanwhile, was beside himself. What nerve she had, crashing the dinner party. And doesn’t Jesus know what kind of woman is touching him? “She’s a sinner!” he shouts.
How self-righteous and unloving he was!
As always, Jesus makes the most of the teaching moment, showing Simon his own sins and need for forgiveness, and then telling the woman, in four of the most beautiful words we can ever hear, “Your sins are forgiven.”
What about us? In our fallen nature, it’s easy to be like Simon – holier-than-thou, judgmental and unloving. But Jesus wants to be like the woman – humble, repentant and loving. Will you pray for His Holy Spirit to help you be who He has created and called you to be?
Mark V.
A Pharisee named Simon had invited Jesus to his home, and as they were eating, in barges this strange woman, who not only was not invited, but, as verse 37 tells us, “had lived a sinful life.” And once inside, she kneels before Jesus and washes his feet – not with water but with tears streaming from her own face – and dries his feet – not with a towel but with her own hair. And then she kisses the Messiah’s feet and pours perfume on them!
How humble and loving she was!
The Pharisee, meanwhile, was beside himself. What nerve she had, crashing the dinner party. And doesn’t Jesus know what kind of woman is touching him? “She’s a sinner!” he shouts.
How self-righteous and unloving he was!
As always, Jesus makes the most of the teaching moment, showing Simon his own sins and need for forgiveness, and then telling the woman, in four of the most beautiful words we can ever hear, “Your sins are forgiven.”
What about us? In our fallen nature, it’s easy to be like Simon – holier-than-thou, judgmental and unloving. But Jesus wants to be like the woman – humble, repentant and loving. Will you pray for His Holy Spirit to help you be who He has created and called you to be?
Mark V.
Prayer focus: Will you pray for His Holy Spirit to help you be who He has created and called you to be?
Community prayer focus: Individuals diagnosed with Covid
Community prayer focus: Individuals diagnosed with Covid
