Does Everyone Need A Time of Refreshing? - Janice Keats

Luke 7:36 - 50

A woman just found out that Jesus was in town. She learned that He was a guest at a Pharisee’s house. With her best perfume in hand, she decided to make her way there. What do you suppose she was thinking as she walked toward that house? What did she have in mind? When she approached Jesus who was sitting there in the home, she fell beside him, and began to weep and his feet became wet with her tears. Then she wiped his feet with her hair. She kissed his feet and poured perfume on them.

I wondered what her motive was. It must have taken great courage to go and visit the King of Kings, especially when all the townsfolk’s knew her reputation. So, what was her yearning all about? Jesus knew. He even explained it to the Pharisee and the other guests who had negative thoughts about her, teaching them a lesson at the same time.

Imagine the expression that must have been on their faces when she showered her affection on Jesus. They wondered if Jesus really knew what this woman was really like. The Pharisee in his own mind was testing Jesus’ credibility as a prophet. So he waited for a response from Jesus to see if he was going to acknowledge this woman.

Of course Jesus knew this woman. He also knew the men who were sitting there…their thoughts. The Pharisee must have forgotten that part. Jesus was quick to point out that the woman’s expression of love and actions was far greater than that of the Pharisee. “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t give me a kiss of greeting, but she has kissed my feet again and again from the time I first came in. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.”
(Like 7:44-48)

The Pharisee was hospitable in inviting Jesus to dinner and it very well may have been a three-course meal but the sinful woman did so much more. She brought expensive perfume, she wept in repentance, she gave herself to him, and she met the Savior. He was the one she had heard who was coming to town that day!

She must have heard that Jesus could offer something better than living a deliberate sinful life. She must have grown tired of her sinful ways. Perhaps she needed renewal and refreshment in her life. It was her intention to seek Jesus when she set out to meet him. Her mind was made up. “I am going to change my bad habits,” she may have said. “I want to know what this Jesus can do for me,” she may have determined.

Her experience that day was far greater than words can say. This woman whose name we do not know, was determined to find new life. She directed her attention totally to Jesus. She showered him with love. She may have been prepared to repent of her sins but was she prepared to enter into the presence of the almighty and loving God? So much that the encounter resulted in tears in place of words?

The omnipotent Jesus forgave her of her sins. Jesus didn’t have to wait to be told by the Pharisee what kind of life this woman was living. The master knew her yearning heart. The Lord’s forgiveness was hers without question! Jesus said to the woman, “your faith has saved you. Go in peace!”

Do you need refreshing? Seek the One who longs to dine with you! He offers peace!

Jan Keats