Where Is It Safe?

“A woman of the city” was compelled to go to the place where Jesus was. Unafraid to come to Him, she walked in uninvited, risking rejection and humiliation. To be a woman and come uninvited into a group of prominent men was unacceptable in Jewish culture, so she risked a lot to come to Jesus. Powerfully, Jesus responded to her with compassion, protection, and validation. I think we sometimes have this view that Jesus keeps people at arm’s length, but He actually allowed this woman who had been involved in something that classified her as a “sinner”, to touch His feet. We are not given her name, what she was involved in, or what it was that drew her to Jesus. Undoubtedly, it was His love.

Jesus was not shocked by what she did. He did not flinch. He saw her. He accepted her. In the Jewish culture, people reclined on the ground on pillows or low couches when eating meals. We see this woman first come and stand at the Son of Man’s feet with tears streaming down her cheeks. She wept, unable to hold it in any more, exposed before all. In brokenness she knelt down and let her tears fall drop by drop onto Christ’s dusty feet. What a beautiful picture of the cleansing that was taking place in her own heart. Letting down her hair, she gently wiped His feet and kissed them in adoration and love, finally pouring on anointing oil. It was a sacrifice that revealed her love.

What is your impression of this woman?

In what ways can you relate to her?

Is there a reputation that follows you around?

Are there places you go that make you feel exposed and judged?

What strikes me about this story is the way Jesus responds to a man’s thoughts about this woman. The man observing her thought, “Wow, if only Jesus knew what kind of woman this is who is touching Him. She is a sinner.” Jesus knew, and He illustrated a scenario that prompted this self-righteous judgment to come crashing down. Notice that Jesus acknowledged that yes, He knew her situation, but He chose to look instead at the way that she had shown more respect, admiration, and care for Him than His own host, this Pharisee. She knew what she had done, yet her heart was full of love. You may have done things that you feel disqualify you from being forgiven, having a fresh start, or even offering anything of value, but Jesus says that receiving forgiveness opens you up to His love. Each of us carries a story. How has God forgiven you? Have you encountered His love like this woman did? I invite you to take a few moments to visualize yourself in this woman’s place.

Ask Jesus, “Is it safe for me to come to You?”

Picture yourself walking into the room. What are you holding inside? Is there something that feels at the top, just ready to explode? Is it anger, gratitude, fear, or shame? If your tears had names, what would they be?

Is there a message about you, spoken or unspoken, that you feel follows you around?

What would Jesus say in response? Go ahead, ask Him.

Jesus, what do You want to say to me?

Jesus told the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." What freeing message are you going to carry with you now and in the days ahead?

God desires for your heart to find rest in the safety of His presence. Here are a few practical things you may wish to incorporate in your life as you continue this journey.

• Every morning when you wake up, invite God to take you to a safe place. What does it look like, feel like? Where is He in that picture?
• Write down the following verse (or another one that speaks about safety), and put it on your bathroom mirror or by your bed. “I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.” Psalm 18:1-3 (NLT)
• What is the definition of safety? How have you experienced this or a lack of safety? What are characteristics of safe people? Draw a scale and number it 1 through 10. One indicates someone who is unsafe, untrustworthy, or who takes advantage of you. Ten represents someone with whom you feel the most safe. Where are those in your life on this “safety scale”? Consider how Jesus interacted with people and how His life inhabits what true safety looks and feels like.