Thursday, July 4, 2013

Overflow of Faith

"Jesus said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'" Luke 7:50

This woman, who was a sinner, came to Jesus with such love, conviction and humility. She cried tears of sorrow over her own sin at His feet and wiped them with her hair. She stooped low in humility and did not stop kissing Jesus' feet. With gratitude she she poured out perfume on them. She had much to be forgiven for - for her sins were many - and out of her remorse and gratitude she showed much love. So Jesus said to her, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Such an effective and definitive Word from the Lord surely kept her far from committing such sins again!

As Jesus points out His observations about this woman of faith to Simon, He uses them in sharp contrast to all the things he had not done. Simon had not brought him water to wash His feet, he had not greeted Him with a kiss, and had not put oil on His head when He arrived. All these things represented love and gratitude expressed by this woman and were an overflow of the faith she placed in Him. "Therefore," He said, "I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." (v. 47)

It would seem as though Simon had been outdone by this woman. Not because her works saved her, but because they were evidence of, an outpouring of - the overflow of - her great faith. Her faith drove her to tears and humility, and she pressed on with her show of love regardless of mockers. Her faith cost her something, as she poured her perfume on His feet. So it might be said, "The reason why some people blame the pains and expense of zealous Christians, in religion, is because they are not willing themselves to come up to it, but resolve to rest in cheap and easy faith." (Henry)

Father God, I don't want to settle for - or be known for - cheap and easy faith. Make me zealous for You oh Lord! I pray my love and gratitude for all You've done for me spills over with extravagance and produces a passionate devotion to You. And I pray that passion drives me further and further from sin and closer to You; to be more and more committed to the work You have for me to do. Thank You for saving me! In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

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