Scripture
Therefore her sins–and they are many–are forgiven, for she loved Me much: but the one who is forgiven little, shows little love.
~Luke 7:47, LNT
Quote
A part from Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, we can never be freed from the chains of selfishness, jealousy and indifference.
~Billy Graham
I said in yesterday’s blog that no one came to Jesus without selfish demands and I was wrong. Generally speaking, folks came to Him for favors but there were some exceptions and one is found in Luke seven. Jesus got invited to dine with a Pharisee and he accepted the invitation. I can’t think of anything more unpleasant than to dine with a Pharisee. While Jesus was there, a prostitute came in from the street and began weeping over Jesus feet. She literally washed Jesus feet with her tears and dried them with her hair, kissing them again and again and then rubbing them with lotion or perfume. I don’t know if you’ve ever had a foot treatment, but it is very relaxing. The problem is not our distaste for a good foot massage; the problem is finding someone who loves you enough to rub your feet. This woman was showing her love for Jesus by prostrating herself before a room filled with dirty minded old men. To kneel, to wash feet, to kiss feet was an act of utter humility and a gesture of deep admiration. She did something that no one else in the room could do. She did something that I fear I could not do. Of course, Jesus being the perfect man, handled the situation with ease. I don’t see myself doing well with this situation: be foot washer or recipient.
How was she able to do such an extraordinary thing? First of all, she was focused on Jesus. Yes, the room was filled with men, self-righteous men who were condescending and judgmental but she did not focus on them. She was so obsessed with her devotion to Jesus that in her mind, no one was present except HIM. Folks, this is a beautiful picture of worship. I am convinced that our self-consciousness and our fear of disapproval is a huge hindrance to worship. This woman was so locked into Jesus, she didn’t think about pleasing anyone else. Secondly, her life style was very demeaning. I don’t know this to be a fact, but I would imagine that most prostitutes don’t want to be prostitutes. I think this was especially true in the culture of the Jesus life and times. Many women were practically forced into prostitution to survive. Some say it is the oldest profession and that may be true but it is a profession that is demeaning to one’s soul and self-esteem. Such a life eradicates pride and pride is what keeps us from loving Jesus the way she did.
Frank Laubauch was a Congregational missionary to Moros Muslims in the Philippines. After being in the Philippines for several years, he climbed a hill overlooking the countryside and the Pacific Ocean. There he began to pray. He began lamenting his failure with the natives whom he went to reach for Christ. He told the LORD, “I have failed and I may as well go home. These people will not listen to me. What more can I do? Please send me home.” He was shocked went he LORD replied: “You have failed because you don’t really love these people and because you feel superior to them. They will respond if you love them.” Laubauch gave it another shot, he went to the leader of the Moros and asked him to teach him the language. It is here that Laubauch discovered his gift as a linguist. Eventually, Laubauch’s work expanded into teaching literacy in over 200 languages. He is the author of EACH ONE TEACH ONE and he helped 60 million people learn how to read and it all started when he stopped looking down on people.
We cannot wash feet when we are looking down. It is our pride that hinders our prayers, our witness, our worship and our ministry. People do not care how much we know until they know how much we care. So my statement yesterday was wrong; at least one person came to Jesus and did not ask for a single thing. She simply and sincerely loved Jesus and He forgave her of all her sins. According to the scripture, she never spoke a word. Rather amazing, wouldn’t you say!
- My gravely went out on me yesterday evening and I was right in the middle of my yard cutting. So I climb aboard my little tractor mower that I use for the ditches and off I went. It was awful. Folks, I can’t go back to the old ways. I think I had rather spray the entire yard with roundup.
- Today is one of those days where I need to be in three different places at the same time.
- I had a entertaining experience last night. I rode to the ball game with Joe David and family. On the way home we stopped to eat. If you have never dined out with Ty Bo, you need to give it a shot. The boy is a riot. I cannot even put the experience into words. In all my 68 years, I have never seen anything like it and I would be willing to bet that you haven’t either.
Ordering Pizza In The Social Media World
Hello! Is this Pizza Hut?
No sir, it’s Google’s Pizza.
Did I dial the wrong number?
No sir, Google bought the pizza store.
Oh, alright – then I’d like to place an order please.
Do you want the usual?
The usual? You know what my usual is?
According to the caller ID, the last 15 times you’ve ordered a
12-slice with double-cheese, sausage, and thick crust.
Okay – that’s what I want this time too.
May I suggest that this time you order an 8-slice with ricotta, arugula, and tomato instead?
No, I hate vegetables.
But your cholesterol is not good.
How do you know?
Through the subscribers guide. We have the results of your blood tests for the last 7 years.
Maybe so, but I don’t want the pizza you suggest – I already take medicine for high cholesterol.
But you haven’t taken the medicine regularly. Four months ago you purchased a box of only 30 tablets from the Drugsale Network.
I bought more from another drugstore.
It’s not showing on your credit card sir.
I paid in cash.
But according to your bank statement you did not withdraw that much cash.
I have another source of cash.
This is not showing on your last tax form, unless you got it from an undeclared income source.
WHAT THE HECK? ENOUGH! I’m sick of Google, Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp.
I’m going to an island without internet, where there’s no cellphone line, and no one to spy on me …