Luke 7

Luke 7: 13 - 14

When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."  Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still.  He said, "Young man, I say to you, get up!"

Jesus had compassion on a widow whose son had died.  He didn't want her to cry.  He brought her son back to life.

Jesus cares when I am sad.  When his people suffer, he suffers.  He wants good things for me.  I want to rely on this truth.  When I hurt, he is hurting too.  I can turn to him.  He may or may not change my situation but his compassion for me does not change.

Lord, may I see clearly how you love me when I am sad.  When my heart is torn, when I weep, when I feel like I am at the end of all I know, turn my eyes to see your compassionate face.  Thank you for loving us.  Thank you for loving that woman!

Luke 7:37 - 38

When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and 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.

A woman who was known to be sinful entered a Pharisee's house at risk of being thrown out.  She approached a man in a way that could be misinterpreted.  She cried, wept, got him wet, dried him off with her hair, poured perfume on him, and kissed him.  How bold!

This woman didn't care what others thought.  She was either looking for forgiveness and was desperate or thought so much of him that she wanted to honor him.  How often do I do things for my Lord without thinking about how others may view me?  Can I honor him as he is worthy of honor without a thought to what it might cost me?

Lord,
I want to live for you.  I don't want to be caught up in what others think of me.  I don't want to be worried over doing things just right.  I want to be consumed with thinking and responding to you, not others.  Please show me if there is something you want of me and give me the humility to do it with abandon to you.