Sept 22, 2006 We Need to Sit At His Feet
Kathleen Maples
Joh 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover
came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.
I started out reading John 12, not knowing where it would lead me. Everything seemed
to stand out, so I read it carefully, then cross referenced it with the other three accounts of this story in the Word. It
helps if you know what the Passover is and what it means and the order God set for celebrating this. The Passover originally
wasn't a feast so much because when it was instituted in Egypt, on the eve of the deliverance of the children of Israel from
bondage, they were to eat this meal and be ready to move out. They were told to eat it with their shoes on, having their bags
packed, and having the blood on the door posts of their dwellings. They'd been told to sacrifice a lamb, and apply the blood
to the two side posts and the upper door post of the house and eat the lamb's flesh after roasting it with fire, and with
unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. (Exo_12:3-9) Are you wondering what that has to do with you? Plenty. What is our
Passover? Christ. (1 Cor 5:7) And church, as we eat the Word of God, (John 6:53) we ought to remember how
we were delivered from the darkness of sin, and the power of Satan, who never did anything but exploit, demean, and attempt
to destroy us. The devil at one time had all of us blind to the glorious love the Lord wanted to give us, the wonderful inheritance
He wanted to give us, and the liberating truth in the Word He wanted us to know. We ought to eat it with our shoes on, spiritual
bags packed, looking up for our redemption draweth nigh. This world is not our home; we seek, like Abraham, a city whose Builder
and Maker is God. Just as Israel ate the passover lamb on the night the Lord went through out Egypt destroying the firstborn,
knowing they were to leave the very next day, a free people, we need to eat the Word of God which was once made flesh and
walked among the people on this earth. We need to let It cut the cords and ties that keep us earthly minded, (Heb
4:12) and earth-bound, and set our sights and affections on things above, (Col 3:2) and
as we eat this Book, It will do this in us. That is what it is doing in me. It has given birth to a great dissatisfaction
with this present world in me. I know it isn't easy. There is opposition, trying times. It's a fight to press in. But the
Lord never promised us a cakewalk, and we know the Word of God says all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer. We shall
suffer testings, and trials of our faith, through hard circumstances, sometimes enduring things we don't understand, but it's
in those times God is watching more closely than ever over His beloved children. He will allow things to come against us often
to provoke something He sees in us that needs to go so that in the fires of pressure that which is in us that is unlike Him
will rise to the surface and we can be aware of it and let Him remove it. Sometimes it is to strengthen us or for the benefit
of those around us to display the keeping power of God. If we never have hard times or afflictions in our lives, we would
be a spoiled, ungrateful people. We would fall prey to pride and self assurance, which would be spiritually dangerous. But
remember, He's touched with the feelings of our infirmities, He's well aware of what you are going through and He goes through
it with you-remember, He was in the fiery furnace with the three Hebrew Boys. We need God, but if we don't have trials and
hard situations that we can't solve ourselves to remind us of that, how quickly we would forget..and we must remember He's
already promised to deliver us out of all our afflictions. He is very well able. In our heart, no matter what our circumstances,
we need to understand we are redeemed and rejoice in the fact that if Jesus come right now, our problems would be suddenly
meaningless. All that would matter is does He see Himself in us? Does He know us? Have we spent private time alone with Him
getting to know Him? We need to eat this Book, and let It separate us from the world, so we'll be ready to move out, too.
In Exo 12, this is a physical illustration of how we
need to eat the Word of God, and it points to the blood Jesus would shed on Calvary. When we are born again, that blood is
on our souls...and I thought about where in Exo_12:7 the Scripture says "Take of the blood and strike it on the two side
posts, AND on the upper door post of the houses.." We can cover our minds with the blood, too. By faith. It's our token from
the Lord, and our shield-Satan cannot cross the blood. That is where we are most vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy. When
he sees someone who loves God and is determined to have more of God and surrender completely to God, he will try to stop them
anyway he can. He knows a surrendered vessel to God is very dangerous to the plans and works of darkness. But when it comes
to the blood, he can't see through it or penetrate it. It locks him out. These people had been enslaved, in hard bondage and
were on the verge of being freed by the mighty hand of God. The Passover was instituted as a reminder for the people to remember
how with His mighty hand God had destroyed the nation of Egypt and spoiled them of their goods and led His people out victorious
and free, with gifts! Once again, the Lord is getting ready to deliver His people...(Col_2:15; 1Jo_3:8) Glory to GOD!!!!! Oh, what a Savior, saints! Father, how we need a
greater revelation of how awesome, how mighty You are and is Your love for us!
I started out in John 12 on these Scriptures, but I want to have them all here
because each of the four accounts adds a new bit of information and when put together forms a more complete picture of what
is going on.
Mat 26:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said unto his disciples,
Mat 26:2 Ye know
that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the
Son of man is betrayed to be crucified.
Now fast forward with me to Matthew 26. The Passover is
nigh at hand-a time to celebrate freedom. But once again the children of Israel are in bondage-this time to the Roman Empire.
That has always struck me as ironic-how they celebrated the Passover-a feast that celebrated deliverance and freedom-while
under the thumb of Rome. Jesus has been teaching His disciples, He's warning them He is about to be betrayed and killed, very
aware of the undercurrents around Him, of the plans of His enemies, and how the devil was working to try to destroy Him. I
can imagine an inner grief in the heart of our Lord for the lost soul of Judas. It was not His will that this man perish.
It's not His will that any perish. But, I can also imagine an inward smile in the heart of our Savior-for He knew Satan was
playing right into His hand..remember, the Scripture tells us if they had known He was the Lord of glory, they would not have
crucified Him. ( 1 Cor 2:8) The powers of darkness did not understand the plan of God...John tells
us darkness could not comprehend this Light... (Joh 1:5) It couldn't overtake it, put it out or
understand it.
If you consult Eph_2:2
then you know the prince of the power of the air is the devil himself. Just goes to show he doesn't know everything-but our
precious Comforter does and He will share with us freely for our good.
At this time the chief priests and the scribes went to Caiaphas, the
high priest who lived in a palace, while the Son of man came down from heaven and dwelt in a low estate...having nowhere to
lay His head( Mat_8:20) -and that just means He didn't come to obtain property or riches...so
don't let anyone feed you that false gospel that Jesus wants you to be rich and at ease-that is not from the heart of God
but from the pits of hell and if you just think about it, you'll see that. He's more interested in blessing His children spiritually
than anything for there is our greatest need.
The Scriptures I want to look at are told in all four Gospels. Four witnesses who each tell the same story
and reveal different details of things that stood out to each of them. When the Word of God repeats something four times,
God must really want us to get it. To understand. So let's explore, let's watch this scene unfold, and ask the Holy Spirit
to teach us, to reveal our Lord to us...for that is what we need more than anything...never does the Word get more rich than
when I read it simply out of a desire to better know HIM. I believe that should be the reason why we read the Word-just to
know HIM. To learn HIM and who we are in HIM. Knowing Him more and more should be our first priority.
At this time, Jesus is in Bethany. The name Bethany means "house of affliction" and it was on the road
to Jericho. The village of Bethany was around 1 to 2 miles from Jerusalem. Now, don't skip over that lightly as if it's not
important. Nothing in the Word of God is unimportant. It just occurred to me that Bethany, which means "house of affliction"
is about a mile or so down the road from the city of Peace, (Jerusalem) and is a place that has to be passed to get to Jericho,
which is a place of victory. When we start out on this journey as a newborn child of God, we start out with great peace. We
have been made aware of our sin, of the awfulness of it, and in sorrow for how our sin has wounded the heart of the Lord who
loves us so much, we have been drawn to repentance by the wooing of the Holy Spirit. As we continue on this journey, there
is discovery of the Lord, which delights us, and for a time we are just joyful people. Like toddlers, learning how to walk,
the Lord is so close to us, catching us when we fall, washing us when we get dirty, but then there comes a time when we grow
up enough in Him that He backs off and expects us to stand, knowing He is there, but wanting us to walk by faith-not feelings.
Afflictions and trials come. But He has sewn His word in our hearts and it sustains us. He is faithful to watch over us, and
it pleases Him when things come against us and we don't blame Him, but we look to Him, knowing that nothing comes our way
He has not allowed. If He allows it, then it is for a reason and we must always trust He knows best. On this journey, we will
have to endure some afflictions, many afflictions, but Jericho is just down the road, and the Lord is more than able to knock
down the walls and lead us into the promises of God!!! Praise the Precious LORD!
Luk 7:36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and
sat down to meat.
Luke's account of the Gospel is usually more detailed than the others,
but he doesn't mention that this is in Bethany and he leaves out certain folks that were there's names. But, according to
Luke's telling of this story, (Luk_7:37-50) the Pharisee, Simon, invites Jesus to have dinner at his home. With
everything that was going on, I wonder about Simon's motives for inviting Jesus to dinner. The Lord went-and I smell a setup
here, don't you? Remember, at this time, it's the Pharisees and scribes who are trying to hatch a plan to take Jesus and kill
him. Now, I'm not suggesting Simon is in on it, but I can't say he didn't know about it, either and when you consider at the
time this Pharisee with a less than honorable attitude as we will see later on, invites the Son of God to dinner, the chief
priests and scribes are plotting to get rid of Jesus.
Mat 26:3 Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of
the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,
Mat 26:4 And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.
Mat 26:5 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
Mat 26:6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,
Now, Luke says Simon was a Pharisee. Matthew calls him a leper. Some
think it's two different men. I don't know. I do know that leprosy is symbolic in the Bible of sin. I can't think of too many
things more sinful than a critical, religious spirit which is rooted in self-pride. It really is true what the Lord says how
we can know them by their fruits. (Mat_7:20) We know the devil is full of pride, deceit, and murder, and envy and
his children display his traits. We need to also remember these people who are plotting against Jesus are probably very nervous
and unsure around Jesus-after all, it was just before this a lot of them had watched Him raise Lazarus from the dead-He called
Lazarus forth from the grave-and everybody knew the man was dead. But at the Word of Jesus Christ he come forth. I believe
if Jesus hadn't called Lazarus by name, every dead person on earth would have gotten up. What unimaginable power...and remember
it was the power of God working in Him...the same power we have been promised who love and serve Him and keep His commandments..and
that devil does not want us to see or understand or believe this. Only the Holy Ghost can make it real to our hearts and the
Lord sure is able to open our understanding to these Scriptures so we can see these truths He promised would make us free!!!!!!
(Luk_24:45) Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! But we must realize that flesh has to
be crucified, and our own agenda has to be sacrificed on the altar of God before we can know this kind of power. We must be
completely sold out to God and to HIS plan. He will not exercise this in a person who will turn around and get puffed up and
take the credit-like they did some great thing....for it is God that worketh in us to do and to will of His good pleasure....(Phi 2:13)
Joh 12:1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised
from the dead.
Joh 12:2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
Dinner is being prepared for the Lord. These are some interesting Scriptures. You've got at this dinner
party, the Guest of honor, the Lord, you've got a Pharisee, who's likely looking to set the Lord up, you've got Lazarus, a
man who was dead and resurrected, and his two sisters, Mary and Martha. The disciples are there. That's 17 people. I'm not
sure, but I would speculate that Simon wasn't the only Pharisee there. Surely there were others, because so much was at stake,
and so many things were happening. It just seems to me to make sense that Simon has a few friends there, as well, probably
for moral support. I mean, he's invited a Man who raised the dead into his home. It was an indisputable fact.
Joh 12:9 Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that
they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.
Joh 12:10 But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;
Joh 12:11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
Isn't that something? You would think they would be excited, and happy for this man, but they want to kill
him, too. The religious crowd just doesn't like the life of Jesus Christ in anybody. They will pick and find fault with every
little thing, real or imagined, or even flat out made up that they can think of. Just remember, the Lord looks on the heart
of men and women, He knows what is there.
But now we come to the heart of the story. There are so many people around, each with their own personalities,
attitudes, and reasons for being there. We've examined the reason of the host, Simon, we've seen Lazarus is there, and all
it says is he was just sitting there at the table with Jesus. Hey, he was dead, now he's alive, and he's sitting with Jesus,
probably astonished at what had happened, how fast his life had changed, and in more than a little awe of the Master, because
in none of the four accounts does he speak. He's just there. He's like a babe in Christ, if you will. Then there is the disciples-they
are there, and they are soldiers in training for a cross they don't understand yet. There is Judas, who is there, and his
heart is simmering with a multitude of conflicting emotions. Sometime I want to study the character of Judas-I sure don't
want to fall into the same trap he did. But I know this man lived and traveled with Jesus for 3 1/2 years and saw and even
himself performed miracles in the name of Jesus, with the others when they were sent out in Luke 10, and yet, he was entertained
the voice of the enemy and because he had the nature of a thief, and a desire for gain, he was willing to sell out the Lord
so cheap-for 30 pieces of silver. The Lord was teaching them how to serve others with compassion and love-something the religious
crowd never did, but Judas wanted to serve himself. If you are in this for what you can get for yourself, you are in the wrong
place. Jesus said if you lose your life (surrender it) for His sake, then you will keep it. But if you seek to save your life,
(live it for yourself) you will lose it. (Mark 8:35) *note: this saying of Jesus is also written in all four gospels.
Now here is Martha, she's serving the dinner up. If you read a little
about Martha, and her name means 'bitterness'. Luke tells us in Luk_10:38-42 that Jesus
had visited them before. When Jesus came and Martha received Him into her house, she was encumbered with much serving. That
word 'encumbered' means distracted, dragging around, drawn away, to be driven mentally, to be over-occupied, too busy about
a thing. So, Martha is a type of a Christian who worries and frets about the small details, she's easily distracted, and appearances
are likely important to her. She was entertaining the Master for dinner, and everything had to look and be just so. Her home
was probably very clean, and neat. It's probably a safe guess that she was very particular about things of this sort. And
here's her sister, Mary, whose name means "rebellion, a tear" and she's sitting at the feet of Jesus, she's not helping her
sister serve the meal. She's listening, probably with hunger, to every word out of His mouth. It says she "sat at Jesus' feet
and heard his word" (Luk_10:39) And Jesus, when Martha complained about her sister not helping, tells
her, Martha, Mary has chosen that good thing and it won't be taken from her. Martha, you are careful (anxious) and troubled
(disturbed) about many things but ONE thing is needful and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from
her. Mary's not concerned about serving food. She's not concerned about how the house looks, she's concerned about what she
needs on the inside.....and that is why she is sitting at HIS feet...(**SIGH**) I kinda feel like that's what I'm doing now...with
the Word on my Computer, and three other Bibles laid out in front of me, opened to each account of this story, so I can see
how neatly they fit together to form a more complete picture.
Now, we've seen how Martha is like the Christian who is always concerned
with appearances, and works. Lazarus, to me, like I said, is like a newborn babe in Christ. He's just sitting there at the
table with Jesus, speechless. I can relate.. but then there's Mary. She reminds me of an humble, broken person. In reading
these four accounts.. I get the feeling that whatever was going on, whatever was being said, she was simply overcome with
emotion. She had brought something very precious and costly and was determined to pour it out on Jesus. You know, her brother
had been sick, and died. Back then it was common that families would anoint the bodies of their dead loved ones before burial.
But she did not use this ointment on Lazarus when he had died. No. She had kept it. She brings it and anoints her Lord. Her
Deliverer. Her Savior. She does it openly, publicly. Look at how each of these four accounts reveals what she did. Only John
thought enough of this to give her name.
Mat 26:7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as
he sat at meat.
Mar 14:3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster
box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she broke the box, and poured it on his head.
Luk 7:37 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,
Luk 7:38 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.
Joh 12:3 Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his
feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
Spikenard was a very expensive and imported perfume, or ointment, made from
a very aromatic herb that came from Arabia, India and the Far East. It was valued about $45 or 300 pence- and a penny or denarius
was in those days, a day's wages. In our day, this would be valued at between $300-$400. So here is this broken woman, giving
the costliest thing she has, something she wouldn't even spend on her brother when he died, and she brings it, weeping to
the Lord. She has sat at His feet. She's heard life issue out of His mouth, it had to do something wonderful in her to produce
this kind of brokenness. (Jer 23:29) This kind of willingness to sacrifice the most precious thing
she owned. She came and adored Him, worshiped Him. Back then, they had a long table that was very low to the floor, and they
reclined, stretching their feet out behind them, away from the table. She comes behind him, and lets down her hair (which
for women was unheard of in mixed company back then, or in public, either) she's anointing his head, she washes his feet with
her tears, she wipes his feet dry with her hair, and kisses them, and anoints them-in front of His disciples, in front of
her family, in front of the religious crowd looking to trap Jesus. She has to be aware of the indignation and contempt directed
at her. She ignores it, and just does what she does out of adoration. He's the One who has met a need in her that no one else
ever had, He means something to her, and she is so devoted to Him, she doesn't care in her worship that she is a spectacle
and one viewed with scorn. All that mattered was she took this ointment and anointed Him. I believe she was fully surrendering
her all to Him, and she did it openly.
Mat 26:8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?
Mat 26:9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor.
The disciples didn't like it. They thought it a waste. They did not yet
value Him as she did.
Mar 14:4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
Mar 14:5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured
against her.
They weren't the only ones who had hard thoughts against her actions. Imagine
the gasps, and indignant, self-righteous, contemptuous stares directed her way. What had the Lord sewn into this woman's heart
that made her so bold, so desperate for Him? What had His Word broken in her that her tears flowed so freely? What bondage
had He delivered Her from that she would bring Him the most expensive thing she had and pour it out freely on Him? I don't
know, but I know one thing, He deserves the same kind of unabashed, unashamed worship from me. Oh, Father, grant me the boldness,
and grace to offer such heartfelt worship, without concern for what others think or say....
Luk 7:39 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.
See the chain reaction of those around who at this time did not recognize
the value of the One in their midst, they did not know what He had done for this woman, the reason for her unashamed devotion
to Him. They didn't care. But they knew she was a sinner. That's all they focused on. Appearances. They had no idea of what
worship was even though they were seeing it in action before their eyes.
Joh 12:4 Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him,
Joh 12:5 Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor?
Joh 12:6 This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was
put therein.
Now we know who was the one who spoke up out loudest and protested her actions.
I'd say this was pretty rude for Judas to say this because the ointment, the alabaster box was HERS, not his. But he presumed
much because she was probably a supporter of Jesus, who ministered to Him, like Mary Magdalene did. Isn't this an interesting
scene to witness? It's stirring something in my heart I can't explain...oh I love this precious Word of God, how grateful
I am to Him for this Gift.
And in the midst of the Christian, Martha, who is busy working, and serving,
one who is new, Lazarus, disciples who are learning, and carnal, very carnal, and the religious crowd, here is a true worshiper.
She's ridiculed, questioned, viewed with contempt. Judged for her past. And imagine the need in the Savior's heart she met...think
about it, saints, He's getting ready to go to the cross. He knows at this very moment there are those who are plotting His
demise. He knows one of His own is going to betray Him. He's in the midst of carnal people, religious people, and people who
name His name but have no time for Him. And here is this one little woman, and she comes, she doesn't care what others think,
and she just adores Him. She anoints Him and loves Him and she doesn't even acknowledge the others. She has sat at His feet,
she's gotten the Word from HIM, and it has transformed her and given her a boldness no one else in the room has. It's lit
a fire in her soul that she can't contain. She has all this love burning in her for this Savior and she just comes, broken,
weeping, and pours out her best on Him. Oh, can you imagine the way this made the Lord feel? You know the devil battled His
mind too. You know the enemy battled Him at every turn, through people, and even personally. But I believe her worship met
a need in His heart. That need for fellowship, for us to appreciate Him for Who He IS, for all He's done for us. We owe it
to Him, folks! Oh, how we owe Him.
Mat 26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the
woman? for she hath wrought a good
work upon me.
Mat 26:11 For ye
have the poor always with you; but
me ye have not always.
Mat 26:12 For in
that she hath poured this ointment on
my body, she did it for my burial.
Mat 26:13 Verily I
say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached
in the whole world, there shall also this,
that this woman
hath done, be told for a memorial
of her.
Mark adds this:
Mar 14:8 She hath done what she
could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to
the burying.
Then Luke reveals that Jesus, knowing Simon the Pharisee's
thoughts, (and I really wonder if he was Simon the leper or if they were two different men) and Jesus looks at him, and calls
him by name and tells him the parable of the two debtors. This is about us, folks. He paid a debt He didn't owe, for us who
could not pay what we owed. I can imagine the kindness and gentleness in His eyes, in His voice, as He spoke to this man who
was to be pitied rather than scorned. Can you imagine sitting in the presence of PURE HOLINESS AND LOVE and not recognizing
it? Being so blind that you can't see who HE IS right in front of you? That is a horrifying thought! Oh, when you meet up
with those who have a scornful or jaded attitude toward the Lord and the Bible-remember, this world has seen so much fake
and phony so-called Christianity and "so-called" miracles, all in the name of the almighty dollar, that they just don't believe.
They have seen the showmen putting on their shows, promising if you buy their miracle water or holy oil, you will get a miracle...
when all we have to do is really just bow before His feet, and ask HIM, the only One who can meet our needs. That is one reason
the devil uses hypocrites so much. I've heard it said the main cause of atheism is people who name the Name and talk the talk
but will not walk the walk. We should feel compassion and concern for them, and hate the devil who has blinded them. They
are not our enemy....we do not war with flesh and blood, folks. How sad to be a puppet for such evil and not know it. How
sad to be convinced the very One who wants to save you is not what He says He is because of the hypocrisy and pretense you
have witnessed in His HOLY NAME. How is the world supposed to fear God if those who name His name don't? The devils believe
and tremble (Jam_2:19) and I'm asking you this: does the devil fear God more than you do?
My Lord, and My God, I have prayed Jer_32:40 for myself and my family and the lost. He promised to put His fear in
our hearts. But we must ask Him for it, and desire to walk in His fear and His love. Lord, don't let me get carried away here....and
remember He said by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil....
Luk 7:40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say
unto thee. And
he saith, Master, say on.
Luk 7:41 There was a certain creditor which had two
debtors: the one owed five
hundred pence, and the other
fifty.
Luk 7:42 And when
they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both.
Tell me therefore, which of them will love him
most?
Remember the Creditor is the Lord who gave us life. The debtor is us. We
owe Him everything. Then when Simon answers correctly, the one who owed the most, Jesus points out, Simon, when I came in
your house, you didn't kiss me, or anoint me, or offer me any refreshment. But she has.
Luk 7:47 Wherefore I
say unto thee, Her sins, which are
many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to
whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Then what does Jesus say to her? He acknowledges her before them all....
Luk 7:48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.
Luk 7:49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?
Luk 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved
thee; go in peace.
What beautiful words from the most Beautiful ONE who ever walked
this earth...Don't let what people think stop you or keep you from Him. Don't let what others say or do separate you from
HIM. HE is the most valuable PRIZE. When Paul said I press toward the mark of the high calling, who do you think the Prize
is? Jesus Christ-eternity with Him. Wherever He is, that is where Heaven is. Glory to His holy name!Don't let the devil get
by with trying to make you think you will look silly if you lift your hand to the One who died for you and loves you in spite
of you! Be like Paul, saying I am persuaded that NOTHING will separate me from the love of God which is in Christ...not trouble,
not heartache, not despair, not the voice of the accuser for that is his intent, to separate you-to cause you to hide from
God in shame...
Rom 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32 He
that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
What is there that we need that He doesn't have? What enemy can stand against
HIM? He's for us, we know because He says He is. If He wouldn't with hold His only Begotten Son from us-and since He put everything
we need in His Son, did He not right here promise to freely give us all things? (2 Pet 1:3-5)
Rom 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34
Who is he that condemneth?
It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen
again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Don't listen to the condemning voices that tell you God doesn't love you,
or won't hear your prayers. Or that promise might work for Sister So and So but not you because her faith is stronger-Jesus
said if you had faith the size of a grain of mustard seed the mountain would move. Christ is on your side, and He loves YOU.
Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us
from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress,
or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is written, For
thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we
are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
We can determine in our hearts-no matter what, if I have to endure persecution, I can remind myself Jesus
did, too, for me, so I can do it for HIM because His grace is sufficient. (2 Cor 12:9) if I have
to endure hunger, I can turn it around and fast and pray and seek His face, if famine comes, He promised to feed me, if the
sword comes, my Sword is bigger, (Heb 4:12). I don't have to give in to the pressure to quit and
give up. I can hold to God's unchanging hand by faith, and He will take me through. It won't feel pleasant at times. It might
look scary or intimidating-but what is bigger than God? If I magnify Him over the problem, the problem automatically shrinks.
He can speak peace to my troubled heart if He's not going to move the problem and will uphold me by the power of His Word
as I go through this-I just have to learn to trust He is going through it with me.
Rom 8:38 For
I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to
come,
Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor
any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We just need to be persuaded that nothing that comes our way can separate us from the love of God, and
that includes our failures, and flaws-because we had them before He reached out and saved us. He's promised to perfect us.
He's teaching us patience and trust as we journey toward perfection. I believe this perfection He is talking about is absolute,
total dependence and trust on God and in God. Being totally sold out to God wanting none of the world. Being brought into
the perfection and fullness of Jesus Christ and resting on His promises and His finished work at Calvary. He alone can subdue
my flesh and carnal mind. He alone is my glory, my hope, my life. He alone can take me where He is, and make me like He is.
Be strong, saints, be encouraged, where ever He leads us, He goes before us, clearing the way, we just have to believe Him.
The faith and strength we need can only be had in learning, like Mary, to sit at His feet. Waiting. Trusting. Receiving. Hallelujah!!!!
Joh 6:37 All that the Father
giveth me shall come
to me; and him that cometh
to me I will in no wise cast out.
