Forgiven Based on Actions

This morning I was led to the passage in Luke titled in my ESV bible, “A Sinful Woman Forgiven”. In this passage, Jesus is eating with a Pharisee and a woman of the town who was known to be a sinner joined them and immediately took to serving Jesus as she wept based on her sins. Now, this may or may not seem normal as was the custom in those days for servants to wash the feet and care for the guests and masters of the house. Where this is not as normal is in the idea that she was not necessarily a servant of the household and the care for Jesus as guest was not from the master of the house, but this woman from around town.

“⁴⁴Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’” — Luke 7:44-47 (ESV)

This woman gave much to serve Jesus and through her actions was certainly demonstrating remorse and shame. Her actions were much greater than those of the Pharisee at whose table Jesus was sitting as guest. Based on her actions, Jesus pointed out to those there that she was indeed giving everything and had not asked for anything. As a result, Jesus demonstrated His love and authority again by forgiving all of her sins and provided a clean slate for her as related to her sin.

I see at all times those that make public admonishments to draw attention to themselves and in the social and political world we live in, are treated as larger than life. At the same time, there are those that are giving fully of themselves and are treated as though they lack existence in this world and are somehow expected to do those things and expect nothing in return. Jesus recognizes those that are taking action from the heart and rewards them for their actions. The thing I have to remember is that those rewards may not be for everyone to see or even be aware. Jesus rewards based on those actions from the heart and in those that are meant for the glory of God and not for the aggrandizement of man.

What actions are you taking in the world and what is the reason for those actions? Are you looking for grandiose actions that draw attention to you for acceptance in the world? What if you were to take actions not expecting anything from the world, but for the glory of God and demonstrate your dedication to Him and His plan for you?