LOVE EXPRESSED THROUGH ACTIONS

BIBLE PASSAGE:
“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her
great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
(Luke 7:47)

MEDITATION:
You may have heard the fictional story about a wife asking her
husband if he loves her. He assures her that he does and replies,
    “I loved you at our wedding. If
      anything changes, I’ll let you know.”

Reaffirmation of love strengthens relationships. Some may try to
reaffirm with words, but their actions don’t support what they say.
Others may have difficulty expressing their feelings in words, but
their actions communicate their innermost affections loud and clear.

There was a woman who expressed her love to Jesus through her
actions. The scriptures do not indicate that she said anything to
Jesus, but it was what she did that showed her love for Him. She
did it by fulfilling the role of a host, even though she was only a
visitor in the home.

It was a customary act of hospitality for a guest’s feet to be washed.
That is what this woman did, even though Jesus was not a guest in
her home. She not only washed his feet, but demonstrated her great
love and thankfulness for Him by anointing his feet with expensive
perfume after washing them with her own tears, kissing them and
drying them with her hair.

How did the host feel about her actions? Apparently he was offended;
he may have felt guilty for failing to fulfill the duties of a host. The
host, who was Pharisee, claimed that if Jesus was truly a prophet, He
would know that the woman was a sinner and would not allow her to
touch Him.

Jesus used this situation as a teaching moment. He wanted the Pharisee
(and others in the house) to understand the depth of the love this woman
had shown through her actions. Her love for Him overflowed as her tears
ran down her cheeks, and she used them in washing His feet.

Sure, she was a sinner, and as a result, she was overwhelmingly thankful
for the Savior who was sent to forgive and free her from a life of sin. Jesus
pointed out that those who feel they are less sinful (in their own mind), will
have less appreciation for their forgiveness, than those who honestly admit
(and don’t hide) their sinfulness, and their need for a Savior.

ACTION:
Which one are you in the eyes of others – the host, or the woman?
How does your love for Jesus show? Can others see your love for
Him in your words and the way you live? What do you do that sends
a message to others that you are thankful that the Lord has saved
you, and He is ‘top priority’ in your life?

What about your love for others? Do you express it with meaningless
words, or can they tell by your actions that you have a love for them?
Do you tell them you love them, but later yell and scream at them,
or begin pointing out all of the flaws that you perceive in them? If
others could observe your relationship with a loved one in your home
at all times, what would they say about your love for the other person?

Would they say you are encouraging and have a desire to point
out their good qualities, to them? Or, would they say you are
focused on their flaws and failures, and point them out often?
When we allow the love of the Lord to flow through us, we will
always make the right choice in our relationship with others.

Read Luke 7:36-50 to get the full account of
the encounter Jesus had with this sinful woman.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for all of Your blessings
and expression of love toward me, including disciplining
me whenever I am making bad choices. Help me to find
ways of showing others my love for You and all that You
have done for me. I pray that Your love will flow through
me in my relationships with others. Teach me to practice
self-control in all that I do, and especially when others are
unkind to me. Remind me of how others treated Jesus, and
how He responded to their actions. Thank You, Father for
loving me, and for Your desire to bring out the best in me
in all circumstances.”

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