Pastor Randy began our summer series "Life of Christ" last Saturday (yesterday) at Uprising by talking about Jesus as the Life Giver. He re-introduced us all to the sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50) who 'went to where Jesus was' (at the home of the Pharisee man) and washed his feet with perfume oil, her tears and her hair.
Her hair.
"Why is this significant?" He asked us. "What does this say about her hair?" Someone suggested it meant her hair was really, really long. (I admit, thats what I was thinking too.) Randy began to explain that by using her hair (yes, long, undoubtedly beautiful hair), she was sacrificing her "glory" and giving of herself to her bridegroom. In Jesus' day, a woman's hair was not often see by others like it is now, but rather it was tied back and hidden. It was her private glory. Only in the privacy of one's own quarters were a woman's long locks displayed... and for her husband only. (Certainly explains a little of why Dad always said guys liked long hair, haha!)
The sinful woman's hair was a sign of her glory. Randy added that the perfumed oil she used to wash Jesus feet, although costly, probably wasn't a great sacrifice to her. She probably had plenty of money (hello, look at her profession!)... But her hair was hers, and hers alone... her private beauty. Her treasure.
(This makes me think of the movie Pretty Woman, and how Vivian (Julia Roberts) wouldn't kiss her clients or even Edward (Richard Gere) (except she eventually does. of course). Kisses were special and reserved for her. They were her "glory." Okay, an interesting cultural analogy, I admit!)
Now, the question Randy asked:
What is your glory? What "something" in your life do you hold dear, hold precious and special? What gift do you have to share with Jesus? What is "that something" God may ask of you to sacrifice for Him, your bridegroom?
Maybe for some of you, it's your time. In my young women's small group, we are reading the book Completely His by Shannon Ethridge, and in the chapter we are discussing Monday night: "Becoming Fluent in the Language of Love," Ethridge suggests "seven secrets to bask in God's presence." All of the secrets are fantastic, but I want to share just one of them with you now. Her second secret was to "establish a certain place where you will have regular devotional times with the Lord. Whether it's in the living room, backyard, or your closet floor, make it your special place to rendezvous with Jesus. As your inevitably wrestle with the 'Am I going to have a devotional time today?' question, envision Jesus sitting in that regular spot, awaiting your arrival. Remember He gets as much out of your time together as you do, don't keep Him waiting there too long before you join Him in sweet fellowship (pg90-91)."
Go to where God is. The sinful woman did and her worship and humility towards Jesus led to Him saying to her, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Go in peace. *chuckle* If you haven't already read Part One: After Uprising - Road Rage, then read it now.
Kinda ironic that "going in peace" was exactly what I was NOT doing. And look how that made me feel and act.
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