Most Honored Guests
Every week we focus on how you can pray for the persecuted church. We often share with you a prayer request almost on a daily basis. Our The Voice of the Martyrs phone app is designed specifically to encourage you to pray for someone or a country daily. We post prayers every Friday for you to pray. We also share on our Persecution Podcast how you can pray for specific issues, so today I wanted to share with you an article about prayer that will encourage you in your prayer life.
Our Most Honored Guests by Cheryl Odden
In Luke 7, Simon invited an "honored guest" into his home — Jesus Christ. While Jesus was at Simon’s home, a woman entered the room and began to weep, pouring an alabaster flask of fragrant oil on Jesus’ feet and wiping them with her hair.
Watching the exchange, Simon said to himself that if Jesus really was a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman was at his feet, and in turn, he would put her in her place. But Jesus responded with a parable — the creditor and two debtors, one of whom owed more. Both were forgiven of their debts. Yet, the one with the greater debt naturally loved the creditor more.
Then Jesus turned to the woman and then to Simon and said, "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." (Luke 7:44) Jesus went on to rebuke Simon because he did not offer his "honored guest," a kiss, or oil for his head.
Every month you invite "guests" into your home — the stories of the persecuted Body of Christ in VOM’s monthly newsletter. Their overcoming testimonies wash the feet of our souls, giving us a fresh perspective. This fresh perspective is fragrant oil on our heads, initially causing some relative discomfort to our Western lifestyles but in the long run bringing new life.
This cloud of witnesses wets our cheeks with a welcome kiss of gratitude, giving us a renewed vigor to embrace what trials God, out of his divine sovereignty, has allowed in our lives, be it a chronic illness, a conflict-ridden relationship, a rebellious child or bearing no child at all.