I studied the story of the woman with the Alabaster box recently (Luke 7:36-50) and saw how her faith saved her. I love this story!
In the story, you will see how your faith can save you in overcoming emotional eating and weight issues.
First, let's contrast how Simon saw the woman versus how Jesus saw her.
Simon's Condemning Attitude
The story tells us that Simon, a Pharisee, invited Jesus to his home for a meal. The woman heard that Jesus was there and came to the house uninvited.
She stood behind Jesus weeping, washing his feet with her tears, and drying them with her hair. And then, she anointed his feet with fragrant oil from an Alabaster box.
Simon did not approve of her actions and found fault with Jesus.
Simon said to himself:
“This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.”
Luke 7:39
From Simon's words, it is clear to me that he expected Jesus to condemn the woman for her sins, rebuke her, and send her away.
But Jesus did none of those things.
Simon's attitude reminds me of the enemy's character.
The enemy's character is one of condemnation. In fact, the root word of ''Devil'' is ''diavolos,'' which means ''Accuser.''
If condemnation and accusation rule your mind, then that comes from the enemy, not from God.
You can see this truth from how Jesus responded to the woman in contrast to Simon.
Jesus' Loving Acceptance
Jesus did not condemn the woman but accepted her. He saw the woman as one in need, one with a sin debt that she could not repay.
He told Simon a parable of 2 debtors (Luke 7:41-43), with one owing a creditor much more than the other.
Jesus said that the Creditor forgave both debtors, but then asked Simon a critical question: Which debtor would love the creditor more?
Simon answered correctly: ''The one whom he forgave more.''
Then Jesus gave Simon a key principle that we too should practice on our health journey.
How Faith Saves
Jesus contrasted Simon's disrespectful attitude towards Him with the woman's respect and honor:
Jesus said to Simon:
“Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
- Luke 7:44-47
Then, Jesus' response to the woman:
''Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
- Luke 7:48
Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
- Luke 7:50
The woman demonstrated love and respect towards Jesus through seeking closeness with Him and attending to Him.
Here is the principle we must remember on our weight loss journey: Jesus is with us too!
He lives within our bodies, His temple.
Jesus is not a guest like He was with Simon, but an honored resident who lives within us through the power of the Holy Spirit:
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Colossians 1:27 also says:
To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
- Colossians 1:27
Too often however, we can treat Jesus like Simon treated Him...while Jesus is in the house, we do not give Him the honor, respect, and attention due to Him as a resident.
We can even go throughout our entire day without acknowledging Jesus' presence!
We are called to glorify the Lord in our bodies and in our spirits. Here are some synonyms for the word ''glorify'':
- Adore
- Admire
- Honor
- Magnify
- Praise
- Thank
- Worship
As we shift our focus to glorifying the Lord, even in our health choices, we show that we appreciate the gift He has given to us and demonstrate our love through obedience to His word.
We don't obey the Lord to earn His love but recognize that we already have His love.
After all, He paid for our sin debt through His sacrifice on the cross.
So, like the woman with the Alabaster box, we recognize how much we have been forgiven and shower the Lord with our adoration, admiration, honor, magnification, praise, thanksgiving and worship!
I challenge you to meditate on this word today. Ask yourself:
- Does accusation and condemnation for your sins rule your mind?
- Or does loving the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength rule your mind?
When the latter rules, then Psalm 107:20 will become a reality in your life:
He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.
- Psalm 107:20
Jesus is the Living Word. Living out your faith in Him day-by-day enables you to experience the freedom of salvation!