In Luke we read that Simon, a leader in the temple, invited Jesus to come to his house for dinner. It seems that Simon must have done this as a matter of obligation since the normal foot-washing protocol was not offered. However, a woman with a reputation as a “sinner,” interrupted the event to wash Jesus’ feet with her tears and anoint Him with perfume reserved for royalty.

Jesus was welcoming and gracious to her. It did not matter to Jesus what her sins and faults were. Simon thought he had Jesus all figured out. He thought to himself that if Jesus was a true prophet, he would know who this woman was and never allow Himself to be touched by her. For you see, Simon was comparing his life to hers.

But Jesus interrupted Simon’s thoughts. He knew what Simon was thinking. He knows what we are thinking. Simon judges correctly that the man who is forgiven more debt has more reason to love the forgiver than the man who has been forgiven little. But the truth is – none of us can lift our own sins. We all need forgiveness by Jesus.

Fortunately, Jesus doesn’t care about our past sins or faults either. Just as he told the woman to go in peace, having been restored, so He tells us today to Go in peace, because we too have been restored. His instructions: Go. Be interrupted. Make disciples of the nations.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, a gift from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. We can never repay the debt. So glorify God in your body. See what that might mean for you short-term, long term, at home or abroad. Register or login at missionnext.org