Sandcastle Kings By Rich Wilkerson, Jr. Sample

The Woman with No Name

The sinful woman in Luke 7 is in a bad spot. She has been chewed up and spit out by the world. Her identity has been reduced to her sin. Yet she has learned something about Jesus, and she wants to learn more. Fortunately for your, Jesus’ recurring message to people was simply, “Come.” What do you do when the world has chewed you up and spit you out? You come to Jesus. No matter what you have done, no matter what has been done to you, come to Jesus.

If you’re life is jacked up, come to Jesus.
If you’re broken, come to Jesus.
If you’re addicted, come to Jesus.
If you’re afraid, come to Jesus.
If you’re hiding, come to Jesus.
If you’re ashamed, come to Jesus.
If you’re guilty, come to Jesus.

This woman has a lot of baggage. She has made many mistakes, but it does not stop her from coming to Jesus. Remember it is not about what you are going through, it is about who you are going to.

People are going to look at what you have done, but God sees what you are going to do. The world will put its labels on you, but God is in the business of changing your name. Throughout the Bible, God was changing names:

• “Abram” went from being childless to being “Abraham,” the father of a nation.
• “Jacob” went from deceiver to “Israel,” God’s chosen people.
• “Simon” went from a frightened and skittish disciple to “Peter,” whom Jesus referred to as “the rock.”
• “Saul” went from Christian-killer to “Paul,” the greatest apostle ever.

This woman was simply known as a sinner, but Jesus had come to give her a new identity. Jesus is not careless. He is careful and welcoming. Maybe you feel like you have no identity. Maybe you feel like the nameless woman. Maybe you think your sin is your identity. I believe that God has a new name for you and that your ability to receive it is limited only by your willingness to go to him.

The world is strong, but God is stronger. Remember this: “Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

In Christ, you can overcome the world.