In the Shepherd's ArmsSample

You Are Who God Thinks You Are

“Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love” (Luke 7:47, NRSV).

Amidst the hustle and bustle of a lavish feast thrown by Simon, a respected Pharisee in his community, many important guests were invited. Jesus was also present there with His disciples.

Suddenly, the commotion turned into whispers.

A woman with long, flowing hair approached Jesus. In her hands, she held an alabaster jar. Without hesitation, she knelt at Jesus' feet, broke the jar, and poured its costly perfume on His feet.

"Do you think Jesus knows that this woman is a prostitute?" the whisperings buzz.

In an instant, the room was filled with the sweet fragrance of that expensive ointment, flowing down onto Jesus' feet. No one offered her a towel. Unexpectedly, the woman named Mary, let down her long and thick hair and wiped Jesus' feet with it. Some sneered, and the murmurs grew louder. It wasn't just the guests whispering this time; even Jesus' own disciples were taken aback and shouted:

"What a waste!"

What was Jesus’ reaction? We can read that in Luke 7:36-50, and I put here the verses from 44-48 (NRSV): “Then 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 bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”

Mary came to Jesus just as she was. She could display publicly her love toward Jesus, knowing well that she would be condemned and judged by the public. She poured out everything she had, never ceasing to kiss His feet because she had faith that Jesus would accept her as she was. Because her sins have been forgiven, she (was enabled to) do much kindness. On the other hand, someone who feels unforgiven will not "able" to do much kindness.

Jesus knew who she was.
Jesus knew well her past.
Jesus knew how she used to sell herself.
Yet Jesus saw her as His beloved.

Sometimes, our understanding of forgiveness stops at our heads. We're told that we are forgiven, and then we're taught that this means we can go to heaven someday. Done. We try not to think about it again.

Why?

Because deep down in our hearts, there may be guilt. Shame. Self-condemnation. A sense of disgrace. We try to hide these feelings, and we're even hesitant to bring them to God. Sometimes, we wear our masks to cover our fears deep inside – doubts about whether God truly accepts us or not, whether God truly accepts me or not? Whether God really forgives me? Often we wear these masks in the form of our service or offerings. It's something we put on because deep down in our hearts, we still feel afraid and uncertain if God accepts us. We try to do something to soften His heart.

Know this: God accepts us wholly as we are, forgives us completely – all past and present sins and even those of the future.

If we can understand this, we will be set free. We will no longer need our masks to come to Jesus.

Who we are is not defined by who we think we are, but by what God thinks who we are. Maybe we think we're repulsive, perhaps we hate ourselves, maybe we're disgusted with ourselves, and maybe we live with a lingering sense of regret ...but... Jesus sees us as His beloved children, as righteous individuals justified by the blood of Christ, as forgiven, embraced, loved, and longed for.

We are free to forgive ourselves. We are free from shame, guilt, and self-judgment.

We can come freely to Jesus, just as we are, and pour out everything for Him.

Just like Mary.