A Woman Washes Jesus’ Feet

Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us prayerfully read Luke 7:36-50 :

³⁶ One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house, and took his place at table. ³⁷ And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, ³⁸ and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” ⁴⁰ And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “What is it, Teacher?” ⁴¹ “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” ⁴⁴ Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Reflection:

1. Jesus Christ knows who is a sinner and what is the sin committed by that person. For being the Son of God he knows what’s in the heart of each created being.
2. Jesus allowed the woman who was washing his feet with her hair and alabaster flask of ointment, to kiss his feet while she cried out in tears for her sins. But Simon felt in his heart that Jesus didn’t realize the true nature of this woman despite other’s believing Jesus to be a Prophet of God.
3. So then, Jesus who understood what was in the heart of the Pharisee named Simon, who was distrustful of Jesus, decided to bring to light to this issue so that it was clear that Jesus was not ignorant and neither did Jesus do anything wrong in allowing this woman to anoint his feet before his time had come for his death by crucifixion and then this glorious resurrection for the salvation of all humankind to the glory of God.
4. Christ Jesus spoke of the parable of the two debtors whom the creditor had forgiven both of their debts. Simon the Pharisee was right in saying that one debtor who had been forgiven more will love the creditor even more. Even Jesus agreed with Simon on this.
5. Jesus then admonished Simon for not having done his part of giving Jesus water to wash his feet but instead the woman washed the feet of Jesus with her tears. Also Jesus reminded Simon that as per the custom of that time, that Simon didn’t anoint the head of Jesus with oil but the repentant woman anointed the feet of Jesus with ointment. Simon was so much focused on doubting Jesus that he neglected to do what is right.
6. Sometimes like Simon, people doubt Jesus so much that they neglect doing what is good to others. Blessed are those who instead trust the Lord and do not neglect to take care of others in a good way.
7. Jesus Christ has the power to forgives sin and is seated at the right hand of God and so he has the authority to forgive sins. Blessed are those who’s sins are forgiven.
8. Finally know that that Jesus didn’t forgive the woman for her good deeds towards him but rather Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” So take heart taht good deeds do have their place in eyes of God but remember that its your faith is what Jesus Christ looks at, for he knows the intentions of each man, woman and child, especially the intentions of the heart. Therefore be of good intent when coming to the Lord and repent wholeheartedly, so that the Lord God has mercy on you!

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Jesus calls men, women and children to repentance. There are many who have not yet come to Lord God, and there are some who have chosen to leave the Lord God and go into a world of sin and deception. The Parable of the Prodigal Son brings to mind the stark reality of the consequences of leaving God and misusing the benefits that God has given you.  Let’s read this parable as mentioned below in Luke 15:11-30 :

¹¹ And Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. ¹³ Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. ¹⁴ And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

¹⁷ “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ ²⁰ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. ²¹ And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ²² But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. ²³ And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. ²⁴ For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, ²⁹ but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ ³¹ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³² It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Reflection:

1. Leaving the presence of God the Father by living in sin has its negative consequence. It may not immediately bear fruit but eventually the evil fruit shows up. It may show as poverty, despondency and bad health but even if these never show up, the final outcome is always death and damnation.
2. Never misjudge this that no evil befalling anyone due to being sin as a sign of God’s approval but rather that its the mercy of God for that person to repent before its too late.
3. The quicker you realize that throwing yourself to the mercy of humans instead of God the Father is futile, the lesser time you will waste in vain pursuits and instead come to the mercy of the Living God!
4. Unlike the older son who undoubtedly did good deeds but couldn’t grasp the Prodigal Son’s repentance nor his father’s love for the younger son, Jesus Christ clearly understands God the Father’s love for each repentant sinner. Jesus waits along with God the Father for the return of those who repent of their sinful deeds.
5. Like the Prodigal Son acknowledge your sinfulness before God so that you can receive his mercy. For there are many who refuse to call sin as sin and neither feel the need to repent and so end up in hell forever.
6. Humble yourself greatly for the punishment of sin is death and hell.
7. Accept and don’t run away the mercy of the Lord God but most importantly be dead to sinfulness but alive to God’s will in your life!

Be not deceived!

 

In your life you may have encountered many lies but do take serious note that the biggest lie that you might have encountered or may encounter in the future is that Jesus loves you so much that he won’t mind you living in sin.

Jesus was serious about sin and is even today serious about sin. Therefore, it is only wise to repent and believe in the Gospel. Don’t let anyone mislead you saying by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross not only your past and present sins are forgiven but also your future sins. Now for a second this seems legit but that lie further adds that if you live in sin in the future, even that is forgiven without you feeling the need to repent. This is simply a heresy of the highest order. This has already been debunked in my previous article (click here to read in detail) and mentions how why Ananias and Saphira were NOT pre-forgiven for their sins.

You need to repent each time you sin.  If you disagree, just ask Ananias and Sephira about their pre-forgiven sin. This is why repentance is mentioned in the Lord’s Prayer.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:6)

For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Do not let your prophets who are in your midst and your diviners deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams which they dream. (Jeremiah 29:8)

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. (Galatians 6:7)

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous (1 John 3:7)

 

Related articles :

• The heresy of pre-forgiven sin

• You need to repent each time you sin

• Debunking the sin consciousness trick used by false preachers

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2)

Be bold enough to preach the Gospel. Be always ready everytime to preach the Gospel.

You will have to reprove sometimes. You’ll have to do some rebuking. And yes of course exorting. All of this to preach the Gospel while being patient and willing to teach.

Christ be with you as you preach the Gospel!

The Lord hears the prayer of the righteous but does not listen to sinners

Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel
and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way,
and have their fill of their own devices.(Proverbs 1:28-31)

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight. (Proverbs 15:8)

We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. (John 9:31)

Surely God does not listen to empty pleas, and the Almighty does not take note of it. (Job 35:13)

He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.(Psalm 145:19-20)

You need to repent each time you sin

It is a false doctrine to tell Christians that after their first repentance, they never need to repent again for new sins. The blood of Jesus does not automatically wash away FUTURE sins, sins need to be repented of after they are committed. If you disagree, just ask Ananias and Sephira about their pre-forgiven sin. This is why repentance is mentioned in the Lord’s Prayer.

Do not anyone beguile you saying that repentance is no longer needed. It’s already prophesied that there are those who will turn the grace of God into lasciviousness which is unrestrained sexual behavior, or a habitual inclination to such behavior; lustfulness. And obviously these will deny Our Lord Jesus Christ. Beware of them because you have been warned in advance.

Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:3-4)

When Jesus himself commands all people to repent of their sin, then those you who call themselves as believers in Christ too much preach repentance and nothing less. Here are some verses to reflect on:

From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:17)

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (Revelation 2:5)

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Respond to God’s calling!

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

And the Lord came and stood forth, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for thy servant hears.” Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel, at which the two ears of every one that hears it will tingle. (1 Samuel 3:7-11)

The great man of God, the prophet Samuel had his calling from God. O how many times God called him? O what if Samuel would have not taken help of Eli to understand God’s calling? O if Samuel would have never responded to God’s calling? Then God’s will for Israel by the prophet Samuel would have been affected. What a shame to lose God’s calling.

Be humble to enough to ask help of those serving the Lord God, to understand God’s will for you. Never feel to small to still yourself and keep away from the chaos of the world, to hear God’s voice. And when you finally come to know God’s for yourself, do not even hesitate to do it, fair and square. All for the glory of God!

Will you intercede?

Will you intercede for a world that’s dying?
In which there is sin, hate, and lying.
If you wish to do God’s will,
Then in your life intercession you fill.

Pray for the poor, pray for the rich,
That they don’t end up in Hell’s ditch.
Pray for the healthy, pray for the sick,
That they don’t fall for any evil trick.

Intercede unto Christ Our Lord and Saviour,
And be holy, sinless with good behaviour.
Don’t faint nor your sorrow lengthen,
But by the Holy Spirit yourself strengthen.

Pray for miracles more and plenty,
That they’d be hundredfold not twenty.
Pray for those who yearn for salvation,
That they believe the Gospel with joyful acclamation.

Hear God’s Word and to Him be grateful,
And cast out in Christ’s name all things hateful.
So make you petitions in full faith,
And in hope for deliverance wait.

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I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. (1 Timothy 2:1)

Stop sinning to please God

The true Christian hates sin!