Luke 7:36-50 speaks greatly on what worship is and how simple
it can be. First question to ask is, “What is it that provokes us to worship?”
Naturally, when we are hungry our body goes to find food. Well, when we know
and understand how much the Father loves us and how much we have been forgiven,
we are naturally move to worship. Revelation 4:11 reveals that we were created
to worship Him, which means it is in our DNA and really natural for us to
worship the Father.
The woman
with the alabaster box was known in her town as a sinner. Yet she came to Jesus
and poured out her love on Him. And Jesus received it as worship. She did not come
with a three-piece band or the newest worship CD, she came by herself, only to
offer up herself. The Bible says in
the alabaster box was expensive perfume, probably worth up to one year’s wages!
This woman could have chosen a cheap perfume, but she was so grateful and
thankful to God for forgiven her, she gave Him the best.
Many of us
give God the leftovers. The leftovers of our day, the leftovers of our
finances, the leftovers of our love, but He wants to best, He wants the first. Just
because we can’t see God, doesn’t mean He is not grieved when we do these
things. He cares.
In regards
to worship in a public setting, this woman did not say “I will catch Him when
He is alone and thanked Him”. Jesus was at a dinner when she decided to worship
God. She was not ashamed, she openly poured out her love on Jesus in front of
everyone. He tears were her worship.
Her worship
did not have a set plan either. It was not pretty in the sense of how we
worship nowadays (Standing up straight, not moving at all, aware of every eye
being on us). She couldn’t stop crying and wiping His feet with her hair and
kissing His feet. There was spontaneity in her worshipping God. Many of us
because we are so used to religion, we think worship is the first part of
Sunday morning Service. We think its music or songs, or even worse we think
that if we don’t sing a song we have not yet worship God. There isn’t a set
plan or formula to worship God. The woman probably came to Jesus to offer up
her perfume, but in His Presence she began to weep and kiss His feet (which is
significant, because the woman anointed the place where He will later be pierced
on the Cross).
And lastly
Worship requires faith. After she worshiped, Jesus response was “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
(v.50) She was released from bondage in worship. Worship is a powerful tool the
Father has given us to be free. He so longs for us to worship Him so that we
too can be free in His Presence. I purposely did not write out the full story
found in Luke because I believe it is good for you to read it yourself and
allow God’s Spirit to speak truth to you about worshiping Him.
