An Alabaster Jar Outpoured

Thistlebend Quiet eMoment

by Laurie Aker

Focus Scripture: Luke 7:36-50 ESV

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 themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”
50 And he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
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Dear Christian,
do you know how much you are loved?
Do you suppose there is anything you can do
that would cause Him to not love you?

He has forgiven all your sins, known and unknown.
He has not only washed your feet, He has rescued you, taken you in,
bathed you, clothed you, and provided for your every need.

Your situation or your circumstances may tempt you to doubt.
Your emotions may rage or toss you to and fro.
Your thoughts, imaginations, or dreams may take you wandering.
But He is who He says He is.

He is your Rock.
Your Redeemer.
Your Rescue.
Your Reward.
Your Everything.

Remember what He has done.
Remember how much you been forgiven.
And live in the safety and the beauty of this truth.

TAKING GOD’S WORD TO HEART

Oh that we would remember!Oh that our lives would be an outpouring
of gratitude and love to Jesus Christ.

May my heart be as beautiful and soft as that alabaster jar.
May my life be a continual outpouring of gratitude,
love, and faithfulness to my Lord.

Use the following passages
to meditate on His great love for you.

John 15:14
Greater love has no one than this,  
that someone lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 3:16
By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us…

Isaiah 53:4-6
4 Surely he has borne our griefs 
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,    
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,    
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned-every one-to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

Ask Him to help you see His love for you
and see His great forgiveness
so your life might be a fragrant outpouring of love.

MEDITATE or MEMORIZE

Write out the following passage from Luke 7 and recite it 3 times.Take it with you throughout the day.

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?”

47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven–
for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

PRAYER

Father God, help me see your gospel love for me
with all of its height, depth, width, and length.
May I cherish it with every breath I take.

In His hands for His glory,

Laurie
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