Tears That Cleanse

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.  Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”  (Luke 7:41-50)

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)


     Simon and Martha had big heart issues.  Doing good things won't get a person very far.  It may impress humans for a while, but God looks beyond appearances.  He knows when a heart truly praises and serves.  Example: Just because someone has their eyes closed as they sing doesn't mean they are truly worshiping.  People want to "look good".  He also knows when people are doing good to impress others.  Do I care if others see the good I do?  My reward is in heaven.  I should prefer that no one sees me.
     Do I sit at the feet of God and revel in His glory and beauty or am I too busy to notice who it is that I am serving?  I want to be a Mary.  Sometimes I think being a Martha can be easier.  It doesn't require a person to look too closely at their own heart and motives.  But sooner or later it has to stop.  If I operate on just doing and going I will run out of steam.  Allowing God to do the work through me is the only way to continue serving.  He will give me the wisdom and discernment to do what I need to do.  I don't want to mess it up.  God has to be behind the wheel.  Not me.
     Do I look down on others because I haven't done some of the "bad things" they've done?  I should hope not!  No sin is greater than another.  The only unforgivable sin is rejecting Jesus.  If God doesn't hold a pecking order for his children based on what they have and haven't done then I shouldn't either.   


Mark 2:17
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”


"Lord, show me your will.  Help me to serve YOU as an act of worship, Father.  You see my heart.  I desire to please you.  I am grateful for all you have done for me.  I know there is nothing I can do to repay you, but I also know that from my faith should come fruit.  I want to be fruit-bearing.  Show me how.  Help me to grasp the opportunities you give me.  Please lead me, Lord.  I want you behind the wheel."