Sacrifice Your Fear
And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50
We continue the beautifully poignant story of the woman who dared to pour her precious, fragrant oil on Jesus. Yesterday we left the story with the guests horrified by the sheer audacity she displayed. The audacity to draw close to Jesus. The even greater audacity to pour expensive, perfumed oil over His head. But nothing could stop her from making the sacrifice for the One who would make the ultimate sacrifice for her. Nothing could stop her from worshipping Him, the One she knew was the anointed One, the Messiah who came to save and forgive her sins.
She was afraid when she walked into that house, knowing she would not be given a place of honour as an esteemed guest. But instead be met with disdain and scorn. But her desperation for Jesus drove away her fear. It gave her courage and boldness to express her love to Jesus in the only way she knew how. She knew that He would not turn her away. She knew He would accept her offering of humility. Her offering of devotion to Him as she washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. And as she poured out the fragrant oil.
As the guests express their indignation at the waste of such expensive oil, its fragrance fills the room. Her sweet offering of faith in Jesus saves her. Her sweet offering brings her the peace that she had always longed for.
Go In Peace
The woman’s faith and trust in Jesus drove away the fear in her heart. She was no longer afraid to come to Him with her darkest secrets. She was no longer afraid of what others thought of her or could do to her.
But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT)
There may be times when we are desperate for Jesus to save us from our sinfulness or from the situation we find ourselves in. The wonderful news is that Jesus is there waiting for us to come to Him in our desperate hour of need. He is waiting for us to come to Him with humble hearts surrendered to Him. Hearts surrendered in worship to Him. Hearts willing to lay bare everything we deem precious in our lives. Hearts that are not afraid to trust Him. When we do this, He will not turn us away. Instead, we will hear Him say, as he did to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Then he asked them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” Mark 4:40 (NLT)
Reflection:
Will you come fearlessly to Jesus and sacrifice everything that you deem precious in your life so that He can forgive you and give you His peace?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I give my desperate situation to You. I pour out everything I deem precious at Your throne of grace. I am desperate for You. I trust You. Come and save me. Come and do what only You can do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
