Do you see this woman? (Luke 7:44)

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. (Luke 7:44 NASB)

When Jesus turned to Simon with "something to say", He asked him a question that might have seemed silly to Simon. "Do you see this woman?" He said. Of course Simon saw the woman! He had just been pondering her wicked past. He saw her, and all the wrong things she had ever done. He saw her, for sure!

Jesus had seen the woman, too. When Jesus began to describe what He had seen, it sounded vastly different than what Simon had seen. It also sounded amazingly better! Simon saw the past. Only the past. Jesus saw the past, too, as well as the havoc the past had created, but He also saw the fresh start she was making. He saw her love for her Lord and the humility and generosity of spirit she had displayed. With the past and the present, He had a glimpse of her future and the woman of faith she would become. His view of this woman brought great compassion and a willingness to invest Himself in her life. 

We see people every day who are struggling and in need of compassion and assistance. Our willingness to be involved in their lives will be dependent, in large measure, upon how we "see" them. Do we see them with "Simon eyes", focusing on their mistakes and their past failures? Do we see them with the eyes of Christ, focusing on the person they are now and all they might become? Being the hands and feet of Christ begins with having the eyes of Christ. 

Do you have the eyes of Christ toward those less fortunate? Do you have the eyes of Christ toward those who have filled their lives with one mistake after another? The woman with the alabaster vial had filled her life with mistakes, but as she wept at the feet of Jesus, repentant and broken, those mistakes were washed away and a new life began. 

Pray today to see those around us (especially those we love most) with the eyes of Christ. Pray, too, that those with mistake-laden lives will have the past washed away at the feet of Jesus, and will rise to become the men and women of God they were created to be. 

-------

Click here for last might's post:

http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/06/life-on-farm-greenhouse-compound.html

Persevering prayer (Luke 6:12)

It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12 NASB)

Jesus had just encountered the scribes and Pharisees. He had bested them in verbal sparring, quietly defying them when he healed the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath, and they had left the synagogue in a rage. They were plotting against Him before they were out the door. Things were heating up and the journey to the Cross was underway. 

Jesus did not waste time talking to earthly friends or family about the next step. He went to a mountain, found a quiet place, and engaged the source of all wisdom, God Himself. He went to pray, and He prayed the entire night. The Greek word translated "spent the whole night" is dianyktereuō and literally means "the entire night".  He needed wisdom, and He continued in prayer until He had the answers He needed. 

This kind of persevering prayer involves more than talking all night. It mostly involves listening. Jesus took His concerns to His Father, but He certainly listened, too. This kind of prayer is a two-way conversation with the Most High God and is the very sweetest kind of prayer. 

Sadly, our society is so rushed that most people find it difficult to be still long enough to hear what God has to say in response to what they have prayed. How satisfying is that? Not very. When your heart is burdened about a decision, why would you ask God what to do, but not stay to listen to His answer? That is not only disrespectful to God, but also foolish indeed.  

We will see that Jesus was about to make a major decision that would affect The rest of His ministry and the future of His church. He needed to be sure. When He left the mountain, He knew exactly what to do. How? He lingered until He heard. 

When you pray, do you stop after you have had your say, or linger to hear God's response? If you are not accustomed to listening for that still small voice, why not try it today. You will not likely hear an audible voice, but perhaps you will remember a Scripture reference or the very action you should take will come to mind. Regardless of how it happens, the answer you seek will come, and you will recognize it, if you are willing to be still long enough to hear. 

Today, pray for the longing in our hearts to become listening prayers with the willingness to be still and not just know He is God, but hear Him answer. Pray that our loved ones would cease striving and turn the the Only One with the answers they seek. 

-----

Don't miss the Lenten devotional series every evening until Easter!  Be sure to check back!