Jan 25

"Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul" (Psalm 94:17, 18).

These words from the Psalms might describe the condition of the jar-woman's soul. Maybe they describe your position right now. If not, perhaps you can remember when they did, when you felt that you were just one step away from giving up and disaster coming upon you. Then you felt your foot slipping on the high, rocky cliff, threatening to plunge
you down into the canyon of despair.

Who knows but what the jar-woman felt this same sense of desperation as she dared to crash in upon the supper party for Jesus. Did she know this horrible, hopeless feeling sweep over her as she stood by Jesus? Have you felt the same in your association with him? Then you know why she wept.

Only one hope keeps her alive: Could he -- would he -- possibly accept her, show some kindness to her? The very hope and possibility puts such pangs and throes upon her heart that she cries in response.

Probably without thinking, she reacts instinctively, from the great love born in her for him and what he has done for her. She wipes the tears that have fallen on his feet. She wipes them with the only towel available to her at the moment, her hair.

What do the others think of this embarrassingly intimate gesture? What difference does it make? She long ago lost any reputation for purity that she might have had, and Jesus does not seem concerned about his own reputation. This is a moment of utter abandonment between one human being and another--and also between a human being and her God.

Does this describe your own relationship with Jesus right now?

Scripture for today: Matthew 4:19-22
Thought for today: Jesus is worthy of my total abandonment of myself to him.
Prayer for today: Jesus, I ask you to forgive me if I have held anything back from you. I want the deepest relationship I can have with
you and I know that this cannot be if I am afraid of you or withhold even one thing from you. Forgive me and change me, I pray.

JAN 25