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Let’s Get Low. Grace Runs Downhill

     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 as more than one character. I can be Simon the Pharisee. I often look at people through the lens of criticism, irritation, and stereotypes. Especially when their actions offend, hurt, or inconvenience me; or if their sins are different than mine. I don’t want to be that guy. Forgive me, Lord.

Jesus, I’m also (gladly) this broken woman at your feet. My sins are just as ugly and numerous as hers; they’re just not as public or notorious. I believe this, but by your Holy Spirit, convince me even more that it is true.

I’m not asking for a “beat-down,” but a “grace-down”—for grace runs downhill and I want to live and love out of the riches of your grace. I want to be as free and worshipful of you as she was.

Indeed, I want to forgive others as you have forgiven me, Jesus. I want to love you much, because you love me more than I can possibly imagine—as much as the Father loves you. May the tears of gratitude I offer at your feet become the water of mercy with which I wash the feet of my family, friends, and neighbors.

Nothing is more daily that the call to forgive; nothing is more scandalous than the way you forgive; and nothing is more important than the way we love. So very Amen I pray, in your kind and powerful name.

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