RESTORED

You have just humiliated yourself in front of a large crowd. Instead of anyone addressing you, they begin to talk as if you are not even in the room.

1. Read Luke 7:39-50

Imagine that is you. Lying on the floor, kissing the feet of a stranger, crying your eyes out, and the two main party guests are talking about you. I bet no one spoke during that time. I bet her sobs echoed throughout that room. I'll bet nobody moved and nobody spoke.
I am going to make the stretch that this conversation has overtones of the one that is spoken over our lives.

2. Reread verse 39 and jot down what Simon thinks to himself.

3. Now look up Revelation 12:10. Who has been cast down? How is he referred to in this verse?

Day and night our accuser brings up our sin, shame, and humiliation before the throne of God.

4. Reread verses 48-50 of Luke chapter 7. What did Christ tell her?

5. Now look up the following verses and summarize them on you paper:

Ruth 4:15

Jeremiah 30:17

Joel 2:25

Our God is the God of restoration. Christ came to restore us. He lives even now to restore us (Hebrews 7:25). If tears come, they fall on the feet of a Savior who catches them (Psalm 56:8). If sobs come, they fall not on deaf ears (2 Chronicles 7:14). Just as in the restoration process of a house or a car, we have to be stripped down to the bare bones. Our woman cut through all the religious stuff and knelt her bare bones before Christ. He told her to arise and go in peace. We have that same opportunity. Do this so you may arise RESTORED!
It is your choice.
It is my choice.
Let us stand before Christ after out tears, empty handed, holding on to nothing, ready to follow His calling.