Day Eighteen

Sacrificial Servanthood

³⁶ When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 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.” ⁴⁰ (Luke 7:36-40)

Today, we will continue to unpack this scripture about the sinful woman with the alabaster jar.  We’ve looked at the fact that this woman was both bold and broken (traits that often accompany one another).  Thirdly, notice that this woman was a tender and humble servant.  She wiped her tears from his feet with her hair.  Truly, this woman understood her position in regards to her most holy Savior!  I have to admit that I’m not in any hurry to touch other people’s feet, let alone wash them with my hair.  Washing another’s feet displays love in action—to do so with your hair goes even one step further. 

Next, this woman kissed Jesus’ feet.   Our society uses the term ‘kissing someone’s feet’ in regards to someone who is so enamored by someone else that they will do anything they ask them to.  Most definitely, this woman could be defined by such.  She had eyes for no other.

Finally, this woman poured her jar of perfume on his feet.  More than likely, this was her most expensive possession, if not her only possession.  She cast it all upon Him, bringing life to the verses, ‘Cast all your cares upon the Lord, for He cares for You (1 Peter 5:7) and ‘Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge (Psalm 62:8).’  As she poured out all that she owned, she displayed trust, faith, and love in the upmost.

To what are you clinging too tightly?  To whom or what is your allegiance?  Pour out your heart to Him!

Heavenly Father,


Thank you for the example of this woman in Luke 7.  Thank you for her boldness, her brokenness, her servant’s heart, and her sacrificial love.  Just as You rescued this woman, thank you for rescuing me from a life of shame and a pit of despair.  Thank you that I can cast all my cares on You because You care for me.  Thank you that I can pour out my heart to You, for You are my refuge.  Lord, You changed this woman in an instant—she went from wretched to beautiful, from filthy to clean.  Lord, first we ask that You bring women who do not know You to Deeper Still.  Secondly, open up their eyes to their wretchedness apart from Christ.  Bring them up out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; set their feet on a rock and give them a firm place to stand.  Put a new song in their mouth, a hymn of praise to You!  As a result of the change in them, may it have a domino effect on those around them, resulting in  many seeing and fearing You and putting their trust in You.  May you give me a desire to cry out night and day for the lost souls amongst us.  Help me to see those souls as You see them—with patient loving-kindness.  I believe that YOU ARE THE CHRIST— may I live as such! 


In Jesus Name I Pray,
Amen.