Boxed in by Shame

Bible In A Year | Read: Luke 7

37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:37-39

Overview of Chapter

This chapter emphasizes that what matters is the acceptance or rejection of Jesus. Jesus heals the servant of a non-Jew, so whether or not one is Jewish doesn’t matter. Jesus raises someone from the dead, so the severity of the problem also doesn’t matter. Further, he forgives a sinful woman, so how sinful someone is doesn’t matter. In fact, he says that more sin makes a person more thankful. Finally, he responds to John the Baptist’s questions, so it is important even for a great prophet to accept Jesus.

The same is true today. Our acceptance of Jesus is the starting point of a relationship with God. Nothing in our background can prevent us from entering a relationship with God through trusting Jesus, and nothing can allow us to have a relationship with God in any other way.

Thoughts on the verses

When we mess up, our instinct is to cover it up. It’s because we have this overwhelming emotion called shame. It boxes us in, making us feel unworthy and unwanted. We fear that if someone knows our shame, they will reject us. But our instinct to cover it up isn’t totally off. We just usually look to the wrong places for cover.

When a sinful woman busted into a dinner party hosted for Jesus, she busted out of her box of shame. Instead of remaining hidden, she went to the one who accepts the unacceptable. She risked exposure and walked away free and forgiven. She learned that when it came to her shame, Jesus had her covered. 

Shame is a great burden to live under. Leaving it hidden keeps us boxed in a life of secrecy and insecurity. Instead of hiding, we need to risk exposure. We need to bring it to light. And when we do, we learn that Jesus has us covered. It’s why he shed his blood on the cross. He wants us to walk free and forgiven if we will let him.

Action Steps

Bible: What is God showing me?  What am I going to do about it? 

Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.

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