Kissing the Feet of Jesus

In Luke 7, we see Jesus invited to the house of a Pharisee (Simon) to eat. As

He accepted the invitation and sat down to eat, a woman (who was a known sinner) came into the house. This woman treated Jesus as royalty by washing the feet of Jesus with her tears and drying His feet with her hair. She also kissed His feet and anointed them with expensive ointment. While this was happening, the Pharisee began doubting Jesus since Jesus was allowing this sinful woman to do all these things to Him. Let's read how Jesus handles this Pharisee and woman:

Luke 7:40-50 states, "And Jesus answered and said to him, 'Simon, I have something to say to you.' So he said, 'Teacher, say it.' 'There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more? ' Simon answered and said, 'I suppose the one whom he forgave more.' And He said to him, 'You have rightly judged.' Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.'

Then He said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.' And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?' Then He said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.'"

I apologize for the lengthy reading this time, but I wanted us to concentrate on the part of this story where the Pharisee says, "Teacher, say it." In the original language this word for "teacher" means "an instructor or master." This man was calling Jesus his instructor, teacher, and master, but he was not heeding Jesus' instruction. The sinful woman on the other hand was obviously repentant and ready to obey. Because of her humility, Christ lovingly affirmed her and said to her, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

I pray that we love as the sinful woman in this story and not like the ritualistic Pharisee. Are we DAILY kissing the feet of Jesus? Are we as determined to do the things He has asked us to do in our own lives each and every day? One way that we watch each of you kiss the feet of Jesus is through your dedication to the children's ministry week after week. May you be affirmed today that He is pleased with your heart to serve Him. He sees every kiss you send Him and He accepts it. He has affirmed you and you will be able to hear and see His affirmation soon and very soon! God bless!