Godly Passion

In Luke 7:47, Jesus is speaking of the woman who poured expensive oil all over His feet, much to the shock and disgust of the Pharisees with whom He was having dinner. We don’t know what her sins were, but everyone knew she was a sinner, and she expressed her great love for her Lord, who had completely forgiven her, in this extravagant act.

Recently, I was hearing someone give his testimony. He’d come from a very damaged background, and had been to depths of sin which not too many people go, and it was evident that he loved Jesus with a huge passion because of the gracious and miraculous way Jesus had rescued him.

It struck me that my own love for Jesus, much as it is, pales into insignificance against this man’s great love. My own background is ordinary by comparison. I grew up in a loving home, though neither of my parents were believers, but they gave us love and protection and godly principles to grow up by. I was a ‘good’ child, and worked hard at school. I’m not saying I was and am sinless – far from it – but I’ve never experienced the depth of sin this man had.

My greatest sin is not loving Jesus enough, in being lukewarm at times, not putting Him first in everything and not recognising that every single one of us, including me, is born carrying the sinful seed of Adam.

Prayer: Precious Jesus, please forgive me that my love for You is so cool, when You have done everything for me. Please draw me closer, help me to realise the depth of my sin, and give me a passionate love for You. In Your name I ask it, Amen.