LOVE FOR GOD REVEALED BY SERVING HIM
LOVE FOR GOD REVEALED BY SERVING HIM!
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 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 people 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 forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “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—as her great love has shown. But whoever 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
To love Jesus is to serve Jesus. Those who do not love Him take away from Him. In the above passage this woman came to Jesus as she was. People knew the sinful lifestyle she was living, but then she came to Jesus. Her faith in Him showed she truly believe who He was/is and was seen by her actions (James 2:14-26). This woman took a jar of perfume that was valuable to her and anointed Jesus feet. Her tears wet His feet and she dried them with her hair. What a wonderful picture of a loving, sacrificial servant! Her actions proved her repentance. She loved Jesus. Her sin was forgiven!
Now let’s ponder one who did not love Jesus. Judas sold Jesus, betrayed Jesus for what was valuable to himself— 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). When one does not have a relationship with Jesus, does not serve Him and does not love Him then they are self-serving. Their own interests greatly devalue Jesus. They are blind as to who He is and so go about their own business doing their own thing and living life as it pleases themselves. They value their self-seeking lifestyle more than Jesus!
How are you and I lovingly serving Jesus? What “sacrifices” are we offering to Him? Are my actions showing that I truly value and love Him? May it be so!
Dear Father I truly love You and am so grateful for all Jesus has done for me. May my gratitude and love for Him be seen by the way I live, not just on Sundays, not just when I am with others who love You, but wherever I am and whatever I am doing. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. So may it be! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSAN5ObaRQg