Love Without Reservation

When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 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. 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. – Luke 7:36-38

As I read Luke’s account of Jesus having dinner with Simon the Pharisee, there’s something beautiful revealed about Jesus within the very first three verses of the story.

Has there ever been anyone more welcoming than Jesus? Anyone more eager to engage with people, regardless of whether they were tax collectors, sinners, or self-righteous teachers of the Law? Did Jesus ever pick and choose who He made time for based on their social status or their motives for wanting to meet with Him?

No! Jesus never turned anyone away! 

Today’s Meditation:

Do we, like Jesus, extend love and acceptance to everyone, regardless of their past or their social status? Are we willing to show bold, courageous love like the sinful woman, even when it might mean facing rejection or scorn? Jesus calls us to love without reservation and to welcome all who seek Him, no matter their background. He invites us to worship Him with sincere hearts, knowing that He values our genuine love and repentance over whatever society might otherwise have to say. 

Jesus never shied away from the well-to-do, nor did he avoid engaging with the broken and marginalized. In fact, those are the people He sought after the most. 

Can the same be said about us?

Today’s Prayer: 

Lord Jesus, thank you for showing us what true love and acceptance look like. Help us to love others as you do, without judgment or reservation. Give us the courage to worship you boldly, just as the sinful woman did, and to embrace all who seek your grace. May our lives reflect your boundless love and transformative power. Amen.