Loved Much...Given Much

Loved Much...Given Much

Luke 7:36-50

  November 30, 2011

   

     She came in need, she left satisfied. She came stained and hopeless, she left forgiven and accepted. She came with love, she left with greater love. But within this story we see that she came ready to give. She did not come expecting anything, she came with the purpose of blessing her Savior purely because she loved Him, and in return she left receiving more than she gave.

She viewed her Lord as her "Hosanna" her hope, the only one who could save her. She was aware of her present state, her need, but overwhelmed the more by her hope in His ability to do more than she could ask for; therefore she thrust all she had before Him.

     How did she have such hope? Her present condition lent her to a place of seeking deliverance. Just as trials in our lives commonly bring us to our knees, drawing us nearer to our Savior because we acknowledge afresh that He alone is our hope. She presented herself before Jesus as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2). Coming before Him she gave her mind--using all she knew, "when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house" (Vs. 36). Somehow she had received knowledge that Jesus was near, and applied it in action, she came. However, not to come empty handed, she brought before Him her earnings, she "Brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil" (Vs. 37)--sacrificing as a gift before Him. In this action, she showed forth that she believed that He was able to give her more than she could ever give. That He is able to give much more to those who are willing to give up what they have in their hands, their temporal treasures (2 Chronicles 25:9). Next we see her giving of her tears--allowing her struggles to fall before His feet, "Began to wash His feet with her tears" (Vs. 38). Onward, her hair, "and wiped them with the hair of her head"(Vs. 38)--the crown of her head, caring not of her outward appearance, but pursuing a beauty in surrender (1 Peter 3:3-4). She gave of her lips--clothed with humility as they touched His feet over and over, a surrender of her speech before her Lord, "Kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil" (Vs. 38). Leaving her lips with the oil upon them, she exemplified lips seeking the anointing of His Spirit upon that which comes forth. Lastly we see a giving of her heart--abandoned, genuine, true before Him, "for she loved much" (Vs. 47).

     In this giving, in this loving, she was given much. She received from Jesus, forgiveness and a promise of security--eternally and at the present. Her faith was secure for eternity, He promised her that she was saved, and she was commanded by Him to at the present, "go in peace"(Vs. 50). A woman who entered weeping and in turmoil, was now leaving in peace. Only our God, only Hosanna, can provide such blessings to those who give...truly within His kingdom to those who love little, the same is found in their lives, but to those who love much, much will be found in their lives in the means of spiritual blessings. Those who surrender their all to Him are able to experience ALL of Him in their lives.

     Father, may this be so in our lives! I desire to be found as this saint. Reading such a story causes me to think, am I living in love with and viewing my God as my Hosanna? If He truly the only One who can save me? Than shall I not surrender all I have before Him? My mind, my wealth--the plenty or lacking, my body, my struggles, my lips, my heart, that I may hear those words when He brings me home, "Well done My good and faithful servant." Amen.

"God's smile and a dungeon are enough for a true heart..."- C.H. Spurgeon