These past few weeks our Bible study has been sharing testimonies. Each is unique, as you can imagine. I keep fondly remembering the story of one lady in particular. Almost from the first sentence, her voice shook with great emotion. Her story has decades in it without knowing her Savior. While she was a good person, there were hurts from this time that Jesus continues to heal. She is reaching a greater understanding of how sometimes this world hurts us and it's not our fault.
She thinks her testimony falls short because it's not what she considers "common Christian." To me, the grace that God shows in placing the right people in her path, in drawing not just her but a larger extended family to Him, the hunger and appreciation she now experiences... it's a perfect picture of despondence to devotion. Common or not.
Much like the scripture passage found below. Do you remember the sinful woman that poured alabaster oil on Jesus' feet? Read the story. And, to Christians old and new alike, soak in the closing words from our Savior, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
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36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining 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 this, 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, “Say it, Teacher.”
41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” 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 [1] themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 7:36-50 (ESV)
