Jan 21

So what, specifically, did the jar-woman risk in coming to Jesus, risks that Mary and Martha did not have to take? And therefore, what makes her love for Jesus yet different from theirs?

The picture we gather of Mary and Martha is that they were members of the socially acceptable segment of society. We might view them as a typical household, with enough to eat and an active social life: ordinary, though possibly better off financially than most. The jar-woman's story, however, is different and is found in Luke 7:36-50.

We have grown accustomed to having Jesus eat with us and be with us, Did not Jesus himself say, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him"? (John 14:23). And in Rev. 3:20, he promises,"I will come in and eat with him and he with me."

Because of this familiarity, perhaps we have had dimmed our awareness of the utterly astonishing nature of this arrangement: to have the Creator of the universe eat with us.

But notice who was not invited (as far as we know). Verse 37 says that a woman who had lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was there--and showed up without being invited! Immediately, we sense the tremendous need of this woman to be with Jesus, that she would risk the ire and judgment of those at the gathering because of her uninvited presence. How dare she! She dared because of the depth of her need.

How deeply do you sense your need for Jesus? How much are you willing to risk to be with him or be associated with him in this world?

Scripture for today: Luke 7:36-50; Hebrews 13:5
Thought for today: Need drives us to take risks.
Prayer for today: I freely confess my need for you, Jesus. I need you! Oh how I need you! I cannot live without you and I don't want to live without you. Thank you, Jesus, that I don't have to. You have promised never to leave me nor forsake me.

Thank you, Jesus.

JAN 21