Luke 7:36-50: Extravagant worship.

Someone said that it is not great talent that God uses but great love for Jesus.

There is a difference between extravagance and exhibitionism. Some people may be exhibitionist in terms of what they do in a church service, drawing attention to themselves, saying, ‘Look at me’. Obviously, that is not worship. But I don’t get any impression that this lady was aware of anyone other than Jesus. Her whole focus was on Him. She just loved Him extravagantly for He had forgiven her freely. Her heart poured out to Him in this act. The perfume was expensive. It could cost a year’s wages to purchase it. But true worship is a costly thing at heart. It is cross-centred. It is prepared for any price in order to love and serve the Lord who paid the greatest price for us. Wouldn’t you rather be like the woman in this story and not Simon?

Before you criticise anyone else’s expression of worship, ( something, in fact, that we should never do), examine your own heart. ‘How much do I love Jesus?’

A little while ago I read this definition of a fanatic: ‘Someone who loves Jesus a lot more than I do!’

Prayer: Lord, increase my love for you.