Invitation To Dinner
Monday March 23, 2015
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:20 NIV)
A Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to dinner at his house and Jesus accepted the invitation. A woman from that same town who lived a sinful life heard that Jesus was at Simon’s house and decided to go to the house bringing with her a jar of perfume. Was the woman familiar with Simon’s house feeling she was at liberty to go there? Why did the woman decide to bring a jar of perfume? Is it possible that she may have been to Simon’s house in the past? Was the jar of perfume something she used for service in her sinful life or was it something she treasured and brought as a gift to this person Jesus whom she had heard about?
Whatever was going on inside this woman it seems apparent from the story that she knew about Jesus and desired to honour Him. Perhaps she had been among the multitude that Jesus had taught. Perhaps she had witnessed Him heal those who were tormented with unclean spirits. Perhaps His words had given her hope. Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. (Luke 6:20-22 NIV)
When the woman came into Simon’s house she stood behind Jesus who was likely sitting with His feet behind Him. She wet His feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume over them. This woman demonstrated her thanks and great love for Jesus in a way that came naturally to her. She held nothing back -- not her dignity, her tears, or her hairdo; not even the precious perfume. She gave all that she had. Did Jesus accept her gift? You bet He did! Jesus knew what it was to set aside the privileges of deity and take on human flesh for the love of each and every one of us and he recognized an expression of that kind of love coming from this woman.
Love each other as I have loved you. (John 15:12 NIV)
What prompts you to show your love for Jesus?
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