While the king was at his table,
My perfume (spikenard) gave forth its fragrance.
(Song of Songs 1:12 NASB)
I don’t know about you, but when I read this line I cannot help but think of the woman – Mary – who crashed the Pharisee’s party and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, and dried them with her hair, and then broke open her alabaster box of ointment and lavished it on the Saviors feet.
Mary therefore took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (John 12:3 NASB)
I know that there are markers in each account that might make them seem like more than one story, but I choose to blend them into one telling.
The story of Mary washing Jesus’ feet is the essence of the transformed life.
Mary has a history, probably a woman of the night, demon possessed, and given over to sin. She may well have been the woman caught in adultery.
But there is more to her history than her past. (I like the sound of that) [Tweet This]
She was forgiven! Her past sins were unwritten, blotted out.
Those in the room with her could not see it. They still saw the loose woman.
But that woman no longer existed.
Now, in the shell that used to hold a whore, there was a worshiper.
The heart that used to shut down for a one night stand, was now a heart that poured out a life savings, wasted, squandered, lavished upon the feet of one man, her heart forever His.
Have you known this transformation?
Do you know this love?
Throw yourself at the feet of Jesus and hear those words whispered to your heart – Your sins are forgiven, go and sin no more.
Thanks for reading today.
See you next week.
Ben
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photo credit: Fergal of Claddagh via photo pin cc
“Those in the room with her could not see it.” Ben this is so weird: I woke up this morning thinking, “if my family were to stumble upon my blog–or hear that I’m speaking somewhere–or even hear about me–they would likely not believe my transformation was legit; they would probably hang on to the old soiled-rag memories of me”. And I was tempted to feel bad–but then God said, in that wonderful voice of His (that soft bass one, you know): “it’s not about them–it’s about you and Me, kid.” With some people, there will always be “their truth”–and “our truth”; as long as my truth matches up with God’s truth, that’s all that really matters. God bless you and the fam–love, sis Caddo
This story always rocks me – it caught hold of me maybe 6 or 7 years ago and just won’t let go. it is remarkable how Jesus can love us so thoroughly right in the same place everyone else hates us, or disregards us al together. He truly does set a table for us in the presence of our enemies.
So glad for His transformation, in you and in me!
Yay God!
Yay God, Amen!!
I really was blessed by this. I had an old friend contact me, we talked a little on the phone and emailed once. I shared my story of coming to Jesus. I’m not the same person that she used to know, but I hope that we can still be friends! God bless you, Mr. Ben, as you bring us these important truths.
p.s. loved Sis Caddo’s comment!
some times these transformations cost us relationships sadly. others will be transformed as we begin to walk in new life.
God bless you sis – and Amen to Caddo!
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