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     Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”  Luke 7:44-47 (NLT)

Lord Jesus, I show up in this story in many places. I’m Simon, the self-righteous Pharisee. Too often, I look at people through the lens of criticism and quick judgment—especially if their actions hurt, irritate, or inconvenience me; or if their sins are simply different than mine. I grieve this, Lord. Forgive me for my arrogance and self-righteousness. That’s not who I want to be.

I’m also this broken woman at your feet. My sins are just as ugly and numerous as hers, just not as public or notorious. I honestly believe this, but by your Holy Spirit, convince me even more that it is true. My creed is that you’ve forgiven all my sins—past, present, and future—for which I give you great praise. But I long for my heart to match my beliefs—my “cardiology” to demonstrate my theology. Jesus, help me, change me, and free me. I want a heart of humility, gratitude, and love for you, like I see in this woman.

I want to forgive others, quicker and from the heart, just as you’ve forgiven us. I want to love you much more, Jesus, than I currently do. You love us more than we can possibly imagine or hope. Grant me big grace, Jesus, especially for the people who’ve brought me the biggest hurt, shame, and pain. So very Amen I pray, in your kind and powerful name.

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