A woman in that town who lived a sinful
life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there
with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping,
she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them and poured perfume on them.
—Luke 7:37–38 niv
Without a doubt, something far out of
the ordinary was happening. A “woman of the street” had broken cultural norms,
knelt at Jesus’ feet, poured expensive perfume on them, and wiped them with her
hair. Those looking on were stunned. Only Christ grasped the significance of
what was really happening: extreme love for God.
However, the most extreme love for God seems only reasonable, given who
Christ is and what he has done for us. And he has the capacity to be loved by
the whole world for eternity.
The woman’s extreme love in this story illustrates several components
that give clarity for others who want to practice it. Her love was tangible. It was expressed to a flesh-and-blood
person who experienced this tender act of caring. It was intense. Her whole person was given to this. She was weeping.
It involved an inordinate amount of personal
expense. Extreme love for God will invariably cost us a great deal.
There was nearness to God. Are
we near enough to him to listen well and hear clearly, even when he whispers?
At the same time, there was distance
from society’s expectations. What she was willing to do was far removed
from the norms of polite society. What do we need to separate ourselves from,
in order to live out an extreme love for God? What bold things are we willing
to do as a result of our delight in God and his interests, thoughts, ways, and
timing?
Dear God, let my love for you move me
to much deeper and more significant levels of commitment. May I gladly make
whatever efforts needed to tangibly express that to you and others. Amen.
Ryan
Chapman, Credentials Services Coordinator, Church of God Ministries, Anderson,
Indiana
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