July 15 | Luke 7: 36-50
- Jenny Raber
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
How Will You Come to the Table?
By Jenny Raber
“Come to the table for all is prepared!” With the prayers said, the communion bread and wine blessed, we are invited to receive the precious and gracious offering of Jesus’s body and blood. On this particular Sunday morning, I am distracted. I have a long to-do list and worries on my heart. I am not present. Approaching the communion server, the words “His body given for you, His blood shed for you” pull me right into the moment; I regret my drifting heart.
I am reminded of this as I read through Luke 7 and the account of the unnamed Sinful Woman. Jesus, invited to a table, sees and hears the very different heart attitudes of both the Pharisee and the sinful woman—one heart silent and the other so resounding with love and gratitude that all stop to watch. And I have to wonder: how would my heart sound in this situation? Jesus already knows! Exploring these verses and the parable within, I understand that my own honest assessment of my heart determines exactly how I will approach the table where Jesus comfortably reclines.
At times, my heart sounds and feels more like Simon’s. Outwardly, I invite Jesus in. Inwardly, though, my heart can be judgmental, cold, and dismissive of others. I choose not to honor the Lord as I should—not loving Him with my whole heart, soul, and mind. And, like Simon, I believe that the thoughts I think “to myself” are only my own—hidden. Luke rightly enlightens us, though, to Jesus’s ability to perceive and know our inner, unspoken thoughts and dialogue.
My desire, and why I keep coming to the table, is to have a heart like the sinful woman. This beautiful woman comes humbly, unashamed before Jesus. With her entire being, inwardly and outwardly, she focuses solely on Jesus. She bravely enters a room of male judgment and condemnation with nothing but repentance and love. She brings all she has to offer, everything of value to her, and lays it all at Jesus’s feet. She knows every inch of her sinful heart and her unworthiness. And because she knows who Jesus is, she trusts His authority and His simple loving words: “Your sins are forgiven.” (v. 48) Weeping and overflowing with gratitude and reckless love—love so extravagant that she risks everything
—she feels seen, forgiven, and whole.
Luke shows us the heart of Jesus. Jesus, who accepts all invitations, arrives with compassion, kindness, and righteousness. He sees and honors the repentant heart of the woman, while shining a light on Simon’s judging and rationalizing heart. Simon is caught like a deer in headlights when Jesus, through the parable, directly addresses his unspoken thoughts. The parable provides insight into our own need to understand the costly burden of our sins. When we understand and know that the entire depth of our debt has been fully forgiven by the mercy and grace of God, we too should be weeping and overflowing with gratitude and reckless love.
So, how will you show up to the table? Rationalizing your sin, making excuses, or genuinely repenting of your sin? Through Jesus, “the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.” (Luke 2: 35) Therefore, it is crucial we know our own vulnerabilities. When we trust in His authority over our lives, we have the capacity to love big. Because of Jesus’s gracious and lavish love, we surrender our ego to Him so that we can generously serve and love others, while showering Him with praise and gratitude. We humbly lay everything of earthly value to us—ego, pride, possessions—willfully at His feet. And like the woman, we wholeheartedly cling to the words our Lord speaks, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (v. 50) The table is set--come!
PRAYER
Dear Gracious and Forgiving Father, Thank you for lavishing your tender mercy and love on us. Thank you for the precious gift of redemption and forgiveness of our sins through Your Holy Son, Jesus Christ. (Eph 1: 7-9). Guide our hearts to embrace your open invitation and help us daily search our hearts to reveal anything that keeps us from loving You big. In Your Holy Name, Amen!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JENNY RABER
I am so grateful for the loving and welcoming community at UALC. My husband and I, along with our three (now adult) children began attending Lytham Road services around 2009. And before that, well, I’ve just loved the Bible for about as long as I can remember. I am so thrilled to be a part of the Daily Devotional Writing Team.
Well done good and faithful servant. The Holy Spirit guide the writing of this. Thank you for the truth and challenge.
There is much to take in here, and each word has touched me in a personal way. "When we trust in His authority over our lives, we have the capacity to love big." Pondering this sentence today. Thank you.