Amazing Love
Jesus was known for hanging around those with a poor reputation. At one point the Pharisees criticized him for hanging out with “scum.” Jesus response put them in their place. Jesus said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do” (Matthew 9:12 NLT).
Jesus always meets us in with the perfect balance of mercy and truth. His amazing love goes heals the deepest wounds. His powerful truth sets us free.
A town harlot known for her immorality, trusted Jesus enough to bring her most valuable possession, herself. She knelt down and washed Jesus feet with her tears, drying them with her own hair. Then she tenderly held his feet that would soon be nailed to the cross for her sins, and she burst open her alabaster flask anointing him with fragrant, costly perfume (Luke 7:36-50).
Jesus said to the woman with the Alabaster Flask: “Your faith has saved you; go enter into peace in freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin.” (Luke 7:50 AMP).
All of us have experienced stress in our lives as a result of our sin. All of us have been wounded. The ground is level at the foot of the cross where all of us need Jesus to forgive our sins, and heal our brokenness.
The woman with the Alabaster Flask wasn’t even invited to the meal that Simon the Pharisee was holding. Simon was so disgusted by this act that he reacted with his own pharisaical pride. Judging both the woman and Jesus, Simon saw himself as superior to both.
When Jesus came to his home, he didn’t wash his feet even though that was the custom of the day. He did not greet Jesus with a kiss, nor honor him in any way. Both Simon and the woman encountered Jesus’ amazing love that day. Simon left his encounter with Jesus, hardened. The woman left her encounter with Jesus, healed.
The Ground is Level at the Foot of the Cross
Whether our brokenness is known by all, or hidden under the hardness of a heart, we all need Jesus to replace our brokenness with His Amazing Love.
I want to be like Jesus, and open my heart to love people who have been broken. I guess that includes almost everyone I know