Revival DNA - Part 2 - a podcast by Hari Rao

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

“One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. 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, 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. (Luke 7:36-38)

In these passages of Scripture, the writer was capturing who this lady was, and by the description we can assume that she was a prostitute. Everybody sins but it’s a different thing to be known as a sinner, it became her introduction.

“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.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”” (Verses 39-40)

Instead of replying to the Pharisees, Jesus looked to Simon and gave a response. Some questions don’t deserve a direct response. Jesus can answer you and yet not be in a conversation with you.

The Trait of a Revivalist

The trait of a revivalist is unashamed worship of the Lord Jesus Christ. Only someone who has seen who He truly is can worship Him without reservation.

The woman was not there to gain the attention of everyone, she was there to worship the One who had changed her life.  Her tears were enough to wash His feet, and she used her hair to wipe His feet.

The disciples and Pharisees saw her gesture of breaking the alabaster jar and anointing His feet as a waste of money. Meanwhile, Jesus didn’t respond or move. Jesus remained unmoved and allowed the woman to finish what she was doing. The only time He responds is when someone begins to accuse her. When you learn the art of worshipping Jesus, you don’t have to defend yourself. The Lord Jesus Himself will speak on your behalf.

Everything Unto Jesus

When was the last time you worshipped Jesus with such abandonment that you forgot yourself? This is what happens when you truly behold Jesus. When you truly behold Jesus you lose sight of yourself. God knows your heart but He’s also watching your actions.

If she was indeed a sinner, what do you think she used the perfume for? In her previous life she used the perfume to attract customers. Now that she encountered Jesus, she had no use for that expensive oil anymore. For everyone it was expensive, but for her it was her declaration that she didn’t want to go back to her previous life. She broke the one thing that connected her to that old life and remained at His feet. That moment wasn’t only about the oil, she used her tears and her hair as well..everything unto Jesus.

The one that moved the heart of Jesus was the one who understood how to worship Him. All the others had theology and intellect, but this story is about the lady that abandoned herself at His feet.

We have read stories in the Bible where people have interrupted meetings for healings and miracles. They all came to take and receive something, but here we read about a lady who interrupted a meeting not to take anything from Jesus but to leave something at His feet.

After her act of worship, she got up and left. Just because there wasn’t a visible transaction or outward manifestation it doesn’t mean that she left empty handed. You can’t come to the feet of Jesus. It is impossible for you to enter the presence of God and return empty handed. Our God is not a debtor to any man. He is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him. There was an exchange, because now wherever she went she carried the aroma of Jesus.

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