Moved to Tears
By Steph LaCasse
“And you also were included in
Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When
you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit”
A woman went to a rummage sale. She
made some purchases and then went to look at the bicycles that the man was
selling. Another young lady, around the age of 10, also looked at the bikes and
mentioned she didn’t have one because her mom couldn’t afford it. The woman
knew how much the bike was being sold for and knew she had that much in her
wallet. She took the money out and handed it to the man saying to the young
girl, “You do now.” The girl had a big smile plastered on her face. She hugged
the woman and thanked her greatly. The man who sold the bike looked
dumbfounded. He expressed how rare that is to see someone purchase something
for a complete stranger. He smiled and said, “You know what makes a person do
something like that? ...The good Lord.” The woman explained to him that it was
the prompting of the Holy Spirit that encouraged her to make the purchase. She
added that the Lord had given her everything, but the cross is enough. The man
began to cry. He shook the woman’s hand and said, “Bless you.” She told him
that, as believers, we are called to serve Him by our actions. Big and small.
Though it wasn’t exactly a bicycle
or a rummage sale back in the days of Jesus, the same situation applies to Luke
7. A woman, “who had lived a sinful life” (verse 37), comes to the house of the
Pharisee and cries at Jesus’ feet. I imagine that she is overwhelmed with Jesus
and the grace He has bestowed on her. That she allows the gratitude to flow out
of her and onto Jesus’ feet. That she kisses His feet and wipes them with her
hair because she had been forgiven. Jesus later points out to those with Him, “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). And conversely, whoever has been forgiven much loves much
in return. Jesus’ love and forgiveness leads us to respond and act, whether
buying a bicycle or kissing our Savior’s feet.
Today, allow the
grace of Jesus and what He has done overwhelm you to your core. Dwell in His
presence.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you recall a time when you were overwhelmed with grace?
2. How can you give this same experience to someone who is not
expecting it?
FURTHER READING:
Luke 7 (the entire chapter)
Stephanie
is a mom of three young sons and wife to Dave, who is currently in seminary
preparing for chaplaincy in the US Army. In her spare time, she’s employed at a
law firm.
