Junk Drawer
Do you have a junk drawer?
While it includes necessities, it also contains several items that should be thrown away. Outdated and irrelevant things.
In reading Luke 7 38-50 it talks about Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman A woman from the town, known for her sinful life, went to the Pharisee's house, where Jesus was dining, she was carrying an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. (Luke7:38)
She is using oils on Jesus feet, washing them with her tears, and drying them with her hair.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
Then Jesus tells a story Luke 7:41-43 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
This individual, once heavily in debt, is now free of debt. I can only picture how freeing it must feel to be rid of such a heavy burden.
I love this ending, Luke 7:47-50 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Go in peace; your faith has saved you.
Jesus wants us to confess our sins and receive forgiveness. This is hard for people to grasp at time, in our human mind we try to process what this means and how it could be.
The amount of love and forgiveness Jesus offers is beyond our understanding. This sinful woman came to Jesus seeking forgiveness and recognized the power of his forgiveness and his love for her. I bet that she laid it all out on the table! Everything all those secrets all the shame of sin she had been carrying around with her, she just laid them at his feet. She was able to then walk in peace with such a great love for Jesus for what he had done for her. He wants to do that for all of us to.
Just as a person freed from a crushing debt load can walk free, so too are we freed by Jesus' forgiveness of our sins.
Our sin sometimes gets tucked away, much like items in a junk drawer. We may fear letting them go, or our shame prevents us from taking them to Jesus for fear of judgment. We know they exist and serve no purpose, but you still haven't presented them to God for forgiveness.
He's inviting us to ask for his forgiveness and walk free with him.
He wants us to be able find the peace that comes from knowing that he has forgiven all our sins.
Instead of using our past against us, he urges us to find forgiveness, and pursue the good and glorious things planned for our lives. When you next open that junk drawer, look around.
Are you holding on to things?
Is it time to ask for forgiveness? God already knows all we've done you will not surprise him.
He loves us completely and fully and he wants us to be in relationship with him he knows when we're holding on to things it creates separation.
He wants us to get rid of it and to walk with peace knowing we are so loved so cherished and so important to him and his Kingdom.
Start with this Prayer
Father, I come before You today seeking both forgiveness and healing. My heart carries wounds—some of which I have inflicted upon others, and some that have been inflicted upon me. I ask for Your forgiveness for the times I have failed You and those around me. Heal these broken parts of my life, Lord.
Cited https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/4-prayers-for-forgiveness-for-sin-healing-and-others.html
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”