Albright Church
The inside story of this woman's uninhibited love for Jesus has more to do with God's forgiveness than her self-promotion. We love to the degree we know we have been forgiven.
Worship in Prayer
Let’s join together as the church to declare our gratitude and lift our requests to God as we surrender together to His will for us. Praying together is not limited to our gatherings on Sundays, we can pray together daily as the church! As you pray through these 6 areas, use this prayer guide to help your daily prayer focus all week long
Give thanks and pray:
- for your family
- for your church family, friends, and neighbours
- for our pastors, staff and church leaders
- for healthcare and front line workers
- for Our City and government
- for our EMCC denomination and our Mission Partners
Visit our website for a more detailed Prayer Guide
Luke 7:36-50 NIV
Luke 7:36-50
It would have taken courage for this woman to show up at Simon the Pharisee’s house. She knew that she had a reputation and that there would be a few shaking heads.
The woman stood behind Jesus and as she wept, her tears fell on Jesus feet. Then she wiped His feet with her hair before pouring perfume.
To Jesus this was an expression of uninhibited love and an act of sacrificial faith.
Why are we embarrassed to express our love and devotion to Christ? Do we hold back in giving Him our praise?
Simon says to himself, “If this man was a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is – that she is a sinner.” v39
Simon’s prejudice was internalized but Jesus could read it and the woman would have felt it.
It is prejudice whether it is voiced or not.
Jesus tells a parable to give the inside story of what uninhibited love really looks like.
Do we see those ‘kind of people’ or do we see people made in the image of God?
Simon condemned this woman through the lens of his prejudice. Jesus connected with this woman through the lens of His forgiveness.
Simon did not honour, welcome or show respect to Jesus yet this woman openly poured out her love and devotion on Jesus.
“I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” v47
Everyone needs forgiveness. There is no privilege. All have a debt to be paid. It’s not about the size of the debt. It is about gratitude that the debt has been cleared.
The inside story is that all who have been forgiven by faith in Christ will express uninhibited love to God and others.
You can’t show love to someone with whom you have undealt with prejudice against.
There is no “that kind of woman” or that “kind of person.” We all need God’s grace and mercy.
We need to capture our prejudicial thoughts and make them obedient to Christ.
We fight an enemy who wants us to live in enmity. Thankfully, we have a Saviour who died to reconcile and make us reconcilers.
Both the Pharisee and the woman needed God’s forgiveness. One went away forgiven and freed to show great love.
Do you need fresh courage to walk into rooms, knowing who you are in Christ?
Are you willing to show uninhibited love to the one who loves you most?
Do you reserve your love for the same kind of people like you?
This is about choosing to receive the greatest love of all, to trust in His forgiveness and allow Him to change you from the inside out.
We are praying that your in home services will be a fruitful time of experiencing God's presence and enjoying time with Him whether you are on your own or with others, we remain united by the Holy Spirit alive in us! As you gather, feel free to post a picture to our church facebook page! Let’s share the joy of our times meeting with God, whatever they look like!