How Do I Approach Jesus?

I have been doing a daily scripture writing since the beginning of the year, and one from the end of January just keeps coming to mind over and over. It’s really not that long (facebook just makes it look long!), but so many things have bombarded my mind from this passage. 

[I broke it up so it’s easier to read]

Luke 7:36-50
(36) And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. (37) And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, (38) And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. (39) Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 

(40) And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. (41) There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. (42) And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? (43) Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. (44) And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. (45) Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. (46) My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

(47) Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. (48) And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. (49) And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? (50) And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

The things that come to mind and challenge me:

How do I approach Jesus?

– Am I like the Pharisee? He sits as an equal with Jesus, having heard of the good things He’s done, but not really getting who He is. Possibly hoping others will see him with Jesus and it will increase his social status. But not offering Him water to clean His feet after being on dusty roads. Not greeting Him with a kiss that is customary. And certainly not anointing Him, because hey, that stuff is expensive and he doesn’t even know this guy. Doubting He is really a prophet because he is letting a sinful woman touch Him. (Not realising how he is implicating himself because the sinful woman was at his house before Jesus arrived.)

– Am I like the woman? She has been forgiven so much she can’t stop herself from crying in gratitude and kissing the feet of the One who has forgiven her. She humbles herself to the floor, wiping His feet with her hair, anointing them with oil. She doesn’t care that she’s interrupting a dinner party- she’s gonna worship no matter what.

What is my response when others worship/praise God? 

– Do I respond like the Pharisee? Do I wonder if God REALLY knows that person? Do I think that person doesn’t even belong in the room because I know some things about them that others might not? Do I think I am above them because my worship is dignified?

When is the last time I fell on my face in worship because I have been forgiven? Have I ever kissed the feet of Jesus, or given something valuable to Him as an act of worship? Do I disregard everyone else in the room and just worship out of a grateful heart regardless of what others might think or say about me? 

Jesus is certainly worthy of my tears of gratitude, my worship, my everything. Lord help me to be mindful only of You, and give you the worship You deserve!