What if someone knows you, everything there is to know about you and yet loved you with such grace and forgiveness? Would that unbelievable Grace lead to Unparalleled Love? Let’s go one step further. What if your actions at times have brought disgrace and sorrow to the one who loves you so. Yet, they forgive you, every infraction. Would that cause you to love them even more? Particularly if they never compromise on the truth. With a gentleness and grace they saw all of your flaws, imperfections, and failures; yet, they with patience and kindness guide you to become the gentleman or lady they see you as being filled with beauty and grace overflowing. The one you never in your wildest dreams knew you could become. A prince or princess with wisdom and a radiance never before seen.
Well that is the love God has for you. Precisely that is what Jesus offers you. Would just one touch of His grace not transform your heart to love Him with an unparalleled love?
Unparalleled Love of One Woman
36 Now one of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table 37 Then when a woman of that town, who was a sinner, learned that Jesus was dining at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfumed oil.
The woman from the town was known to be a sinner, most likely a prostitute. Normally she would not have been allowed to be in the home of this Pharisee. However, Jesus was invited in and a crowd surrounded and followed Him wherever He went. A crowd could come inside and be present in that day when someone famous came to visit. The woman had met Jesus somewhere before this night and been redeemed, having repented of her sins.
We are not told exactly where or when this had occurred; but the word Jesus used later in this story when saying her sins had been forgiven was that: already had been and continue to be. So, when she heard Jesus was there, she loved Him so. All she wanted was to draw near enough to anoint His head with her most precious possession, the oil in her alabaster box. Imagine the depth of her love that made her bold enough to even enter the room. They were reclined at the table like this picture.
Uncontrollable, Unashamed, Abounding Devotional Unparalleled Love
38 As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair kissed them and anointed them with the perfumed oil.
Imagine the emotion running through her. He, who had transformed her life lay there on the floor before her. She could not hold back the tears of gratitude or joy any longer. And as her tears began to fall upon His feet, she saw that no one had washed His feet (as was the custom for a guest of honor). She saw the dust and dirt on His feet and with an act of compassion, got down on the floor next to His feet. Her tears began to pour from her eyes uncontrollably. With no towel in sight, she let her hair down to use her hair as a towel. Women were not to let their hair down in public or have it uncovered; but her love for Jesus demanded she dry His feet. Lovingly, once washed, she poured the oil on His feet.
Did she worry what the others would think? No!
39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet,he would know who and what kind of womanthis is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” 40 SoJesus answered him,“Simon, I have something to say to you.” He replied,“Say it, Teacher.”
Simon thought in his head; but Jesus knew what he was thinking. He thought Jesus wasn’t a prophet; because surely, He had not known what kind of woman was touching Him. Note: Simon did not even consider that Jesus would have elicited such a contact—at least His character was not in question. People did at least seem to understand this. But the pharisee did question His deity or special prophetic knowledge.
A Parable
Jesus said,
41 “A certain creditorhad two debtors; one owed him 500 silver coins,and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.”Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
Not certain if Simon’s “I suppose was” with a questioning or sarcastic voice. Either way, he was wary of the question. But the truth is: the one who recognizes their unworthiness or sees the depths of their sins, is the one who is grateful enough to lay aside their own self to honor the one they love. That is unparalleled love. Simon did not even recognize his sins or unworthiness. In fact, his arrogance was such as to not even provide a servant to wash the feet of Jesus. He thought himself morally superior just by having invited Jesus to the table.
Why was hers an Unparalleled Love?
44 Then, turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house. You gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss of greeting, but from the time I entered she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfumed oil. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Saved by faith; but what about those moments when we doubt?
Concluding Thought
What wondrous Grace! The longer that I am saved, the more I recognize the magnitude of His Grace toward me. Daily, I see how far from His righteousness I stand and how imperfect is my love toward Him and others. Yet, He loved me and He promises to perfect my heart one day. How could I give to Him less than my all.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Disclosures
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.