Unashamed Love

Unashamed Love

The Woman Who Anointed Jesus’ Feet

Read: Luke 7:36-39

I set the tray on the table, passed out the food, and then paused. At home, I always prayed with the kids before meals, but the fast-food restaurant was especially crowded today. I couldn’t help wondering what the group of boisterous teenagers next to our table would think if they saw us bow our heads. As I unwrapped my burger, my preschool daughter and two little boys followed my lead without saying anything. Eating lunch at McDonald’s that day may have been a treat for my children, but for me it was no happy meal.

Today’s Bible passage tells of a woman who put serving Jesus before other people’s opinions. When Jesus was invited to a dinner party, uninvited people showed up and stood to the side to listen to the conversation, as was the custom. It may have been hard for this woman to enter the house, knowing that the host and the guests despised her for her immoral reputation. But at the sight of Jesus, she immediately forgot her self-consciousness. As she wept over his feet and dried them with her hair, she was oblivious to the others’ outraged stares and murmurings. Her mind was focused only on the Man who taught about God’s love and mercy.

It’s easy to get caught up in what other people think about us and forget that God is the One we really want to please. Even when we’re afraid of looking silly to others, he deserves to be honored and adored. This sinful woman’s love for Jesus drove out any embarrassment she may have felt about being the center of disapproving people’s attention. Her example encourages us not to be afraid to express our faith, even when we feel intimidated about praying in public.

I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ.

Romans 1:16