“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.” Luke 7:37-38
This narrative is about how Jesus forgives sinners. But the story starts with this sinful woman giving extraordinary attention and devotion to Jesus. What is so interesting to me was the fact that she gave this devotion to the Lord before she received anything. She just showed up to the dinner and she starts giving honor to Jesus. I don’t know what she had in mind when she did all that she did, but what is clear is that she offers her worship and devotion just because she understood who was in the room – her Savior.
Few weeks ago, I listened to a sermon at our church that talked about the consumer mentality of church goers. It’s this idea, “What’s in it for me.” I have seen so much spiritual unhealthiness in people when they come to church with a certain personal agenda and personal desire. Listen, God does meet our needs. That is the gospel. He met our greatest need by dying on the cross. And our gracious and merciful God does meet our needs always! Maybe not the way we want … but He does. He provides. What I am trying to say is when we come to church, do we have the attitude of this woman? Do we just want to be near Jesus … just because who He is? And does this desire to be near Jesus permeate our lives … not only during Sunday but the rest of the week?
