City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

¹⁴ And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment. ¹⁵ So David and all the people of Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord with shouts of joy and the blowing of rams’ horns.

2nd Samuel 6:14-16 (NLT)

⁴⁶ You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.

Luke 7:46 (NLT)

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s scriptures are pictures of people giving their best to God as a direct result of being blessed by God’s Presence. This shows us that our perception of who God is determines the level of intimacy we can experience with Him, and causes a ripple effect of giving Him our very best. 

In the parable of the two debtors outlined in Luke 7:40-50, both Simon, the Pharisee, and the unnamed immoral woman wanted Jesus in their lives to some extent, yet both experienced Jesus in vastly different ways. Why is that? 

Simon saw Jesus as a teacher, and the woman with the alabaster jar saw Jesus as the Lord of her life, and both got exactly what they perceived Jesus to be. I don’t think Jesus compared the half-hearted hospitality of Simon with the lavish display of gratefulness of the immoral woman to shame Simon. Rather, Jesus was trying to show Simon the limitations of legalism. 

Legalism is a form of righteousness, but not the real thing. Jesus wanted to make that clear to Simon lest he put his hope in a misguided attempt to earn right standing with God through his own efforts. Scripture makes it perfectly clear there is no way to the Father except through Jesus (John 10:9). Simon couldn’t offer Jesus the very basics of what was called for. Yet in striking contrast, the woman who had previously lived a very immoral lifestyle trumped a Pharisee in living for God, all because she placed her faith in Jesus as her Lord (not just a good teacher). 

Application

Giving God our best will naturally flow out of us as we place our faith and trust solely in Jesus. Knowing that Jesus is the only way and choosing to follow Him should flood our hearts with gratitude and praise. 

If you are currently not giving God your best, could it be that you have lost sight of Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Take as many opportunities as you can to actively remember who He is and what He’s done for you.

Prayer

Dearest Lord Jesus, thank You for setting me free from a life of limitations and bondage. Because of Your finished work, I am free to live for You. Show me who You are. I want to know You. In Jesus’ name, amen.