Unapologetic Tears
She stood at His feet behind Him weeping;
and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.
Luke 7:38
Why do so many of us apologize for our tears? Simon, a Pharisee, invited Jesus to dinner. In the middle of the meal, as Jesus reclined at the table, a woman who had lived a sinful life brought an alabaster jar of perfume. “As she stood behind [Jesus] 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 7:38). Unapologetically, this woman freely expressed her love and then unwound her hair to dry the feet of Jesus. Overflowing with gratitude and love for Jesus, she topped off her tears with perfumed kisses—actions that contrasted with those of the proper but cold-hearted host.
Notice the Lord's response (44-48), He praised her exuberant expression of love and proclaimed her “forgiven.”
We may be tempted to squelch our tears of gratitude when they threaten to overflow. But God made us emotional beings, and we can use our feelings to honour Him. Like the woman in Luke’s gospel, let’s unapologetically express our love for our good God, who provides for our needs and freely receives our thankful response.
Bible Reading
Luke 7:36-44.
Prayer
Loving God, thank You that you gave the tear, as well as the smile. In Christ's redeeming name, I pray. Amen.