Give What You've Got

Luke 7:37-38, 44-46: When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.... Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.

At church on Sunday, this was part of the passage that the pastor used for his sermon. One part of this passage stuck with me. I don't even remember if the pastor touched on this idea. Perhaps that's why it stuck with me.

Let me tell you what I thought. This woman, this harlot, this "woman who had lived a sinful life in that town", came to see Jesus. She came to repent, to show her love and appreciation. She came with all she had, her long hair and her alabaster jar of perfume. Now, I'm thinking that both of these things were things she valued - because it was her livelihood. I think "harlot", as one translation calls her, is the same as a prostitute, or close. The perfume was probably a tool of her trade. Her long hair was equally part of her trade. She came with everything she had of value to show Jesus her appreciation.......And Jesus accepted.

That is the way that Jesus is. He accepts us where we are, with the gifts and tools we have. He accepts us as we are. Don't get me wrong. He wants us to repent, turn away from wrong. But before that, he accepts us where we are and who we are. Then He gives us the ability to repent and live the way He wants us to, to grow toward His likeness.

Don't be afraid to come to Jesus. Don't be afraid of being turned away. Jesus accepts us RIGHT WHERE WE ARE, no matter where that is. Jesus accepts who we are with a focus on what He knows we can become. Jesus accepts and forgives. So give Jesus what you have to give and all of who you are.

THANK YOU, JESUS! Amen.

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