Category: Uncategorized

WHO WAS SHE?

READ LUKE 7:36-50. . .

THERE’S NOT A lot we know about this woman.

She’s a nebulous New Testament personality.

We don’t know her identity.

She wasn’t the same Mary from Matthew, Mark or John’s accounts.

Yes, there are obvious similarities, but there are just too many differences to be the same woman.

WE DON’T KNOW:

. How she knew Jesus was a guest in Simon the Pharisee’s home.

. If she actually said anything on this occasion because Luke only records her actions.

. How long she stood behind Jesus before she knelt down and began to serve Him.

. Where or how she secured the alabaster flask of fragrant oil.

. How long she kissed, wiped, and touched Jesus’ feet.

Everything we know about her is contained in bits and pieces of the last part of the chapter.

WE KNOW:

. Her tears were indicative of great emotional upheaval and remorse. She experienced godly sorrow.

. She desperately wanted to be forgiven. Her sins haunted her.

. She knew about the identity of Jesus. Why would she come and serve Him in such a lavish fashion in the first place if He was simply another man among men?

. She humbled herself and expressed her devotion in a very concrete and tangible way.

Who was she?

We don’tt know, but her example is compelling and ought to move our hearts and lives.

Consider:

  1. She SAW her own sins (Rom. 3:23; 6:23; 1 John 1:8, 10).
  2. She SENSED her suffering; her tears came from a broken heart and a broken life. She lamented her past and wanted relief from her burden of guilt (2 Cor. 7:10).
  3. She SOUGHT the Savior. What ever her peers thought about her, that didn’t stop her from coming to the Lord.

Do you see your own sins?

Are you tired of suffering in and because of your sins?

Are you seeking the Savior?

He’s waiting for you now…

“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike

THE EYES OF THE LORD – SEPT. 24

 

Daddy and I have spent a king’s ransom through the years on flashlights. . .

Maybe it’s a guy thing, but between the two of us, we have purchased just about every kind of light-emitting device the market has produced—pocket-sized, incandescent, LED, Xenon, Krypton, Halogen, fluorescent, phosphorescent, radiant, manual (crank or shake) powered, multi-mode, tactical, penlight, floodlight, key-ring, glove compartment, camping lantern, rechargeable, and headlamp.

Only Batman himself has access to more illumination.

Our wives have never been able to conceptualize why men need a specialized flashlight for every occasion.

We need one to help us get into the deer woods early in the morning.

We need one for when we’re rummaging around in the attic.

We need one for the car.

We need one for when the power goes out.

We need one for night fishing expeditions. 

And of course, we need one for when another flashlight doesn’t work.

Guys need flashlights.

We need visual acuity when it’s dark.

It occurs to me that there is one individual who doesn’t need a flashlight.

His eyes can penetrate even the darkest caverns of the soul.

Consider some passages from Scripture:

▪ “A land that the Lord your God cares for. The eyes of the LORD your God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year” (Deuteronomy 11:12).

▪ “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth…” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

▪ “For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps.  There is no gloom or deep darkness where evildoers may hide themselves” (Job 34:21-22).

▪ “For the eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).

▪ “For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths” (Proverbs 15:21).

▪ “Behold, the eyes of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy” (Psalm 33:18).

▪ “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous…” (1 Peter 3:12a).

Yes, the Lord sees where we can’t.

He sees not only what we do, but why we engage in a particular act.

He sees beyond the overt and down into the heart (cf. 1 Samuel 16:7; Matthew 12:25; Luke 6:8; John 2:25).

He sees motive; He sees intent (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:5).

We need to remember this important truth.

Brethren who struggle with integrity need to remember that God can see what happens in secret (Job 11:11).

His sight can pierce the thickest wall.

“And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).

Then too, brethren who are faithful need to recall the Lord’s vision (cf. Genesis 5:7-8).

When they are misunderstood, and their words or actions are taken out of context, the Father sees what they’re really trying to say and do (cf. Psalm 139:1-6).

The Lord doesn’t judge based upon appearance or what people think they can see.

He looks beyond the external façade and reads what’s down deep in the heart.

Nothing escapes His gaze.

“The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men” (Job 34:21; cf. Proverbs 5:21).

Think about it.

“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike