From Nan Miller
I almost forgot about the stale, sweaty air and the closed-in feeling of the tiny lounge in the middle of the first floor of an apartment building. Mary, Martha, and I had just taken turns reading Luke 7:36-50 about Jesus who was having dinner at the home of Simon, the Pharisee. We were imagining what it would have been like to have been invited to dinner as Simon’s guest. The privilege, status, and importance we might feel to come and have dinner with Jesus, who we were hearing so much about. Of course, our friend Simon would invite us – after all, we are Phrarisees – we belong to his religious club! Then, this sinful woman walks in. How did SHE get here? Surely, someone will throw her out!
Then, Mary started talking about what it might feel like to have been that woman. “She must have known that Jesus would protect her when she walked into that house,” she said. Out of her desperate need and faith, this woman had walked into a place she was not wanted and cried over Jesus’ feet wiping them with her hair and bathing them with expensive perfume. We read and reread Jesus’ words to her, “Your sins are forgiven. You have loved much. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” We decided that the woman had walked into Simon’s house as one who did not belong, but walked out as a woman who had been given a place. She was a new woman. Our prayers were to receive that same place from Jesus.
FOR PRAYER AND PRAISE:
- It turns out that Mary and I were both praying about asking each other about meeting together outside of the Monday night group. Praise God! I know I have many things I can learn from her and she said she needs an accountability partner. Once we discovered that, we’ve agreed to meet on Friday mornings at 10am. Please pray as we begin this journey of discipleship and for growth as we learn to follow Jesus every day.
- Pray for the Monday night women’s group as we read about Jesus together that we would go from women who are reading a story to women who are being transformed by the Savior. Pray that Jessica comes back when we meet again.
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