Giving Him The Best That You've Got!

“And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, ‘This man, if he were a Prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.’” -ST. Luke 7:37-39.


In these days it was common for folks to invite the Rabbi into their homes. There is nothing better than allowing your home to be a meeting place for the Rabbis. However, rather than rejoicing in the blessing of having Jesus as a visitor, the Pharisee became distracted by a certain young lady in their midst. She was known to be a “sinful” woman, yet in his home- uninvited. She stood behind the Lord & began to cry. Just then she knelt down and began to wash the dust off his feet with her tears. Then she dried them with her hair, kissed them & anointed them with the oil. Not only was the Pharisee disturbed by her actions, he was mad Jesus was allowing her to do it! He thought to himself if Jesus was keeping it one hundred he would not let it go down like this. What’s really good?

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Whatever was going on with this woman, she knew that only Jesus could help her and she was going to get to him however. It didn’t matter she was uninvited. She was going to do what she had to do, to be where she needed to be. She came with an alabaster box filled with expensive scented oil & that was her presentation to the Lord. Only rich people could afford it in that day, which means she worked overtime to get it. But that was just an added bonus. What she truly gave to the Lord, with her tears & hair, was the purest expression of Praise & Worship. She gave herself. Priceless. When you’re not allowed to be yourself you put up a façade. And when everyone around you is judgmental it’s hard to be transparent. However, being in the presence of our Lord and Savior, tore down her emotional walls. The barrier had been broken by the power of Jesus. Her own tears cleansed her soul and released all she had going on inside. She experienced a sense of relief. Rather than dismiss her, Jesus embraced her. No need to front for this man.


Now, the term “PHARISEES” means “separated ones”. An elitist group, this Pharisee was HATING! He saw her actions as something more sensual, seductive, and erotic. And that’s the problem with a lot of these self-righteous, sanctimonious Christians existing today. They become so engulfed with the “do” & “don’ts” that they take something harmful & innocent & turn it suspect. It’s shameful that we’re fearful to be affectionate toward one another for fear how it may be taken or perceived. Not that serious. In his mind, he put a twist on things which questioned her motives & Jesus’ legitimacy. And although he kept his thoughts to himself, Jesus- being the divine creator manifested in the flesh- read him to his core. He started off by telling the Pharisee of a parable where two men owed money to a moneylender. One owed 500 silver coins, the other owed 150. The moneylender cancelled both their debts seeing how neither could pay. Question was: which one will love him more? The Pharisee thought it’d be the one who owed the most. He was right. Then Jesus let him have it. He straight told him, “Look, you see this woman? I came into your home, been walking in these sandals all day, my feet are dusty, but you didn’t offer to wash my feet. You didn’t even provide the water; she had to use her tears! You didn’t show any brotherly love when you saw me, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I been up in here. No olive oil for my head, but she’s covered my feet with this expensive sweet smelling perfume. Man listen, the great outpouring of love She has shown proves that her many sins have been forgiven. But whoever has been forgiven of a little shows only a little love & gratitude.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “your sins are forgiven. You’re Good! Your faith has saved you. Peace.” While others sitting at the table thought who is he to forgive sins?


Moral of the story: give the best that you have. Everyone likes to focus on the oil & the alabaster box. I’m focused on the tears. Can you imagine how hard she must’ve been crying to produce that many tears to be able to wash someone’s feet? What was she going through? Only she & Jesus knew. She recognized who Jesus really was & praised him to the point of losing herself. The Pharisee recognized as well & allowed himself to be a Hater! He was jealous of the interaction between her & Jesus. He knew right there- in that moment, in his house- Jesus was experiencing something with this woman that no man ever had. Like that oil, Jesus had her at her purest form. In her profession there is no emotion. No love, no affection, no nothing. Just provide the service, get your money & go. But to Jesus, she gave herself completely and shared an intimacy with him that no other man had ever known with her. And that’s what the Lord wants from each & every one of us. He wants us to strip down to our bare essence and put forth our Good & Perfect Praise. Her relationship with the Lord is the most intimate one can have. Loving, Adoring, and Worshipping a Man- Body & Soul- with no sexual exchange. Yeah, that’s hot! And both got what they came for: He got her praise, she got her blessing. Total indulgence zero guilt. It’s a relationship we should all strive to obtain. I know I do. And until I can sit at his feet, touch his hair, and call him Lord, I will continue to give him the best that I’ve got!

Spread Love ... It's The Bklyn Way!