Extravagant love

I'll admit, I have used the text a number of times in the last few years. It is one of my favorites. I am speaking of the scripture in the book of Luke, chapter seven. It speaks of a woman entering the house of Simon where the disciples were gathered with Jesus. This woman is nameless, and has a reputation. It is noted that she was a sinner. What else that is noted is what struck me as the Lord brought this text to my mind.

It seems that everyone had forgotten that our coming together is not about us, it is about him. The object of adoration should have been Jesus, and yet he was neglected. That is, until this woman with a past brought her alabaster box. She poured her love upon him.

The words echoed by Jesus are that "this woman has loved much." It was not said of Simon, nor the disciples. They had seen his miracles, and shared his message. But Jesus had become common to them. They were not in awe of his presence. This nameless woman with a past brought a vial which was valued at a year's wages. She broke it upon Christ. She anointed his head, she washed his feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair.

Jesus said she has loved much. He didn't say it about Peter, James, nor John. He did not say it about anyone else in the house that day. But he did say it about a nameless woman with a sinful reputation.

I don't want to lose the awe of his presence, the wonders of his touch. It happens in church, it happens in ministry. Love grown cold happens in our hearts. Like the woman in the story, I want to love him deeply.