Known and Still Welcome
Luke 7:36-39 - One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner."
Have you ever needed to admit something, but worried that telling the truth would change the way someone felt about you? Perhaps a gentler word will make it sound less serious. Perhaps a little more explanation will keep the other person from thinking differently of you. You want to be honest, but you also want to be sure you’ll still be loved afterward.
In Luke 7, a woman known for her sinful life approaches Jesus. Simon assumes he knows what Jesus’ response should be. This woman has a reputation. If Jesus understood the kind of person touching Him, surely He would pull away. To Simon, His welcome can only mean ignorance. But Jesus knows. Later, He’ll speak plainly about her many sins. His knowledge is complete, and still He receives her devotion. She is close enough to wet His feet with her tears.
That is something our usual definitions of love struggle to accommodate. We often expect either approval or rejection. If you love me, you must tell me my choices are good. If you can’t say that, you must not want me near you. But look at Jesus. The woman doesn’t have to persuade Him that her sin was harmless and He has something to give her that an approving audience can never provide. He can forgive her!
This is why we need more than someone who will agree with our explanations. When we have actually hurt someone, agreement can’t undo the damage. When we have sinned against God, reassurance can’t reconcile us to Him. We need the Savior who knows the truth and has come to deal with it. At the cross, Jesus will bear the judgment of the sins He forgives. He will give Himself for people who can’t repair their standing before God. His welcome is costly enough to take our wrongdoing seriously and generous enough to receive us when we have nothing to offer but our need.
Perhaps you’ve been waiting to feel less ashamed before you come to Him. Or perhaps you’ve been asking Him to approve the very thing you need to confess. You can stop rehearsing your defense. His willingness to receive you was never based on an incomplete account of your life. Coming near means allowing Him to tell you the truth. There may be something to turn from, an apology to make, or help to receive. You can face that with the One who has already moved toward you in love. His mercy gives you somewhere to begin. With Jesus, there is no undisclosed detail that will catch Him by surprise. You’re coming to the Savior who already knows, and whose hands were opened for you at the cross. You can bring Jesus the truth about what needs to change.
Head: Jesus knows my need completely and welcomes me to receive His forgiveness.
Heart: What have I been explaining away because I am afraid to bring it honestly to Jesus?
Hands: Name one specific wrong before Jesus. Ask Him to show you the next faithful step and supply the grace to take it.
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, You know the part of my life I keep trying to explain away. Thank You for receiving me with full knowledge of my need and for bearing my sin at the cross. Give me courage to confess honestly and help me trust Your love that calls me to change. Lead me in the next step of the new life You give. Amen.”
-PK