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, doesn’t it? 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 don’t 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 a 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 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 came to forgive her 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:
Questions we could ask ourselves:
– Which one am I in the eyes of others – the host, or the woman?
– How can my love for Jesus be seen by others?
– Can others see my love for Him in my words and the way I live?
– What do I do that sends a message to others that I am thankful
that the Lord has saved me, and He is ‘top priority’ in my life?
– Have I ever been overwhelmed to tears over what Jesus did for me?
– Is my open expression of love for Jesus
constrained by what others may think of me?
What about my love for others?
– Do I express love with meaningless words, or can
others tell by my actions that I have a love for them?
– Do I tell others I love them, but later I express
anger and point out the flaws I see in them?
– If others could observe my relationship with a loved one in my home
at all times, what would they say about my love for the other person?
– Would they say I am encouraging and have a desire to point
out their good qualities (to them)? Or, would they say
I am more focused on their flaws and failures?
– What expressions of love for others have I shown lately?
– If others were asked to report on how
I have shown love for them, what would they say?
– Would they say I check on them sometimes after they
have checked on me, or would they say I proactively
check on their health and well-being?
– Would they say I often ask them if they have any prayer
needs and assure them I would pray for them?
Or, would they say I seem to want their prayers
for me, but I seldom offer to pray for them?
When we allow the love of Jesus to flow through us, we will
always make the right choice in our relationship with others,
won’t we? We will have a sincere love and concern for them
in the same way Jesus loves us and cares about us.
Our love for them is not driven by what others may think of us.
It is an overflow of our unselfish, sincere, and heartfelt concern
for them and a desire to become more like Jesus in our attitudes
and actions.
Read Luke 7:36-50 to get the full account of the encounter Jesus
had with this sinful woman. Look at how He talks about the depth
of love and appreciation for others, and the sincerity of the love we
have for the One who died for us and can forgive us for our sins.
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for all Your blessings and
Your expressions 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 what You have done
for me. I pray that I will allow Your love will flow through me
in my relationships with others. Teach me to show 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 reacted
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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