Tears. It doesn’t take much to move me to tears.
As a kid, I was often poked fun at because I cried easily. It was only in my adult life that I became able to embrace them, to realize my tears expressed what was in my heart.
There once was a woman, who in plain view of everyone in the room, did the most outlandish act as an expression of her appreciation.
“And
there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned
that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought
an alabaster vial of perfume, and
standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet
with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and
kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.”
(Luke 7:37-38,
NASB)
She came with a heart full of gratitude for her many sins which were forgiven. She did not care that those in the room may not understand, nor appreciate, her gesture. She did it none the less.
Jesus turning to those in the room says words so profound they should deeply impact us all:
“Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do
you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My
feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her
hair. You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. For
this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven,
for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.”
(Luke 7:44-48, NASB)
When we know ourselves, our sins, and the degree to which we have been forgiven, we will also have hearts willing to forgive greatly.
Jesus is not impressed with our expensive gifts, our public gestures, or our status. He is moved by those who have come to realize the grace and mercy which have been lavished on their lives. He is moved by our tears.
“You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.”
(Psalm 56:8, NLT)
Our tears matter to Him – each one precious and collected, stored in a bottle. One day we will pour them out on His feet as well in gratitude.
Amen! I think sometimes growing up Christian puts us at a disadvantage for recognizing our need for Jesus. We are ALL sinners--we just sin differently from each other.
ReplyDeleteIt touches me to know that even if other people misunderstand or misjudge our expressions of love and gratitude to Him, He understands.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad Jesus knows what's in our hearts though other's may not know, believe or understand. I also know that I cannot truly understand the weight of the sin Jesus carried to the cross - maybe that is because we live under grace and have grown up under grace. The Old Testament stories, though - show me what it is like being separated from Him - and that helps me understand - helps me understand the price of my redemption! Thank you for reminding us Joanne! ~ Maryleigh
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