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Returning
our Tithes and Offerings
King Ahab had a
name. He lives on in history, though his mention in the Bible
reminds us that power has its limits, and even a king must answer to
God. On the other hand, the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with
her tears remains a nameless "sinner." Even so, to this
day we remember what she did. While disappointment caused Ahab to
roll over and pout, this woman did not take that route. Instead, she
made her way into where others thought she did not belong, and
placed herself beside Jesus. We are not really told why she wept.
All it says is that her ointment, her kisses, and her tears cleansed
Jesus’ feet, like his love cleansed her life. "Your sins
are forgiven," he said. "Your faith has saved you;
go in peace."
Are you here
this morning because, like this woman, you learned that Jesus was in
this house? Even in the stories of those, like Ahab, who did not do
what is right in the Lord’s eyes, have you witnessed God’s
forgiveness? Perhaps your tears - of sorrow, of frustration, of
anger, of release - have watered Jesus’ feet as you came to him
this morning. If so, hear him say, "Your sins are forgiven.
Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Now is a time to
respond to his goodness and mercy. May your offering just now be
like breaking open a flask of oil and pouring it out. However, don’t
stop when the offertory ends. Pour out this blessing upon the world
to which you will return once you exit this meetinghouse. Allow God’s
grace to flow into your neighborhood, your work, your school, your
home.
Will the ushers come forward to receive our
offerings?
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