In what ways can we show similar devotion to Jesus in our lives today? Setting the Scene Luke 7:38: “As she stood behind Jesus at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and to wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume.” One verse, three pictures: a bowed posture, costly perfume, and unabashed affection. Her actions become a template for genuine devotion today. Responding with Humble Worship • Make unhurried time to sit “at His feet” in Scripture and prayer—uninterrupted, phone-free, eyes on Him (Psalm 27:4). • Let your body join your heart; kneel, lift hands, or bow your head (Psalm 95:6). • Speak His worth aloud—private praise that is honest and specific (1 Chronicles 16:29). Living Repentant and Grateful • Keep short accounts with the Lord; confess quickly (1 John 1:9). • Remember how much you’ve been forgiven; gratitude fuels devotion (Luke 7:47). • Share your testimony; the forgiven woman’s story still speaks (Matthew 26:13). Offering Sacrificial Giving • Give costly gifts—time, talents, finances—without calculating return (2 Samuel 24:24). • Support gospel work and relieve suffering; your “perfume” becomes a fragrant offering to God (Philippians 4:18). • Practice generosity in secret; the Father who sees will reward (Matthew 6:3-4). Serving Christ by Serving People • Wash modern-day feet: meet practical needs, show hospitality, listen well (John 13:14-15). • Volunteer where brokenness spills over—foster care, crisis pregnancy centers, food banks (James 2:15-17). • Treat every act of service as service to Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:40). Displaying Courageous Witness • Speak of Jesus even when culture whispers “quiet.” He is worthy of public honor (Romans 1:16). • Keep compassion and truth together; grace invites, truth frees (John 1:14). • Live distinctly so fragrance, not offense, turns heads (2 Corinthians 2:14-15). Practicing Continuous Worship • Offer the “sacrifice of praise” throughout the day—short outbursts of thankfulness, sung or spoken (Hebrews 13:15). • Present your body as a living sacrifice; every task becomes worship when done for Him (Romans 12:1). • Guard a soft heart—quick to respond, slow to harden (Hebrews 3:15). Walking in Loving Obedience • Align choices with His commands; love proves itself in obedience (John 14:15). • Reject compartmentalized faith; let devotion shape entertainment, relationships, goals (Colossians 3:17). • Keep eyes on the finish line—“Well done” from Christ outweighs every cost (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Cultivating Personal Intimacy • Savor His presence through Scripture meditation; linger on a phrase until it shapes your thinking (Psalm 119:97). • Journal prayers and answered prayers; watch patterns of His faithfulness emerge (Lamentations 3:22-23). • Fast occasionally, using hunger to deepen dependence (Matthew 6:17-18). Conclusion: Fragrance That Fills the House When humble worship, sacrificial giving, grateful repentance, courageous witness, and loving obedience converge, our lives release a fragrance like the woman’s perfume—one that fills every room we enter with the unmistakable aroma of Christ. |
    |