Luke 7:44-50
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Once again, read Luke 7:36-50 but focus in on verses 44-50 today.
For the majority of this story, the woman is judged silently by the dinner host and guests. No one speaks to her, either because they are shocked by her interruption and don’t know what to say, or because they consider her unworthy of notice. No one even bothers to tell her to leave – they just judge her and Jesus silently.
Before Jesus addresses her, he addresses the stony hearts of the men in the room and calls attention to this person they are trying so hard to ignore. He forces them to look and see her.
Think of a time you felt unseen or ignored and notice the emotions that arise as you remember.
Then think about the kinds of people that cause you to look the other way - the ones you pretend you don’t notice. Talk with Jesus about this.
Read Luke 7:44-50 again.
The contrast between Simon and the woman in this story is striking. Simon invites Jesus to his house and then when Jesus arrives, he treats him as an unwelcome guest. The woman is an unwelcome intruder, but she is desperate to be in Jesus’ presence and she worships him unceasingly.
And Jesus not only calls attention to her; he responds to her directly addressing her deepest need and restoring her dignity and hope.
It’s normal to have times when we feel either closer and more desperate for Jesus or somewhat distant and disengaged. The important thing is the overall direction of our lives. Take a moment to consider the spectrum of responses to Jesus in this story – from Simon who invites Jesus in and then treats him as an unwelcome guest, to the woman who desperately seeks Jesus out and pours out her worship on him. Where are you currently on this spectrum? As you look back over the past few months or years, where do you fall overall on this spectrum?
Spend the last minutes of this time of meditation expressing your thoughts and desires to Jesus being sure to listen as much as you speak.
What is Jesus inviting you to do today?
How will you respond?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
