My dear readers,

(Extracts from RPG, Jan – Mar 1998, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. FORGIVEN MOST SHE LOVED MOST
Luke 7:36-50; Matthew 11:25-30

Simon the Pharisee looked down from his lofty height of self-righteous pride on the woman of the city, a notable sinner. While Jesus sat at meal in Simon's house, the woman came with an alabaster box of precious perfume oil and anointed Jesus. At the same time she washed the Lord's feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, and tenderly she kissed them. It was out of deep gratitude to the Lord that she publicly poured out her affection, for her many sins had been forgiven by the Lord, her heart thoroughly cleansed.

But Simon was more concerned with outward appearance than with inward purity. "How could Jesus allow that woman of ill repute to touch Him?" so he reasoned within himself. Simon was a stranger to the forgiveness of God and the peace of sins forgiven. He knew nothing of God's love or of loving God. He welcome Jesus into his house but not into heart. When Jesus came he offered no water to wash His feet, or a welcome kiss or oil to anoint His head.

On all counts he failed where the woman did excellently. Why was this so? Our Lord explained. Her sins though many were freely forgiven, her burden taken away. In Jesus she had found rest for her soul. With a heart brimming with gratitude, she came to express her affection, her reverence and undying devotion to the Saviour. Having been forgiven much, she loved much.

Dear reader, how do you feel toward the Lord? How much have you been forgiven? Do you feel indebted to Him? "Feeling is the secret of doing!" Let your affection be enlisted for the Lord's service. If you have been forgiven much, you will love much. If you love much, you will gladly serve the Lord in holy living, in caring and praying for others, in witnessing, and in many other ways pleasing to the Master.

QUESTION: What sins has the Lord forgiven you?
PRAYER: Lord, teach me to love Thee as I should.

2. HEALED BY HIS TOUCH
Luke 8:41-56; 2 Kings 4;18-37

AMID the pressure of the crowd that crushed on Him from all sides, Jesus detected the light touch of one thin hand, which drew from Him healing virtue. We may be very near Christ, and throng Him, without touching; but no one can touch Him, however lightly, without deriving the very grace needed.

We think of Jesus today amid the thronging crowds of angels and spirits of the just made perfect. Amid their voices will ours be heard? Amid the pressure of their attendance on his sacred person will He stay to recognise our poor trembling touch? Amid the vast interests that depend on Him, the government of the universe, the holding together and consistence of all things, is there any likelihood of our need asserting itself successfully? See, he is hastening on to raise the dead; there is the daughter of many a Jairus waiting for his summons, in the cemeteries and sleeping places of the dead. Will He stay for me?

There is the touch of prayer and faith. Thou canst never exercise it, however simply, without eliciting an immediate response. The conductor can detect the tiny note of a piccolo in an orchestra; and Christ is moved by a whisper, a sigh, a tear, a touch. There may be a good deal of mistake and superstition, as there was in this woman, who seemed to have thought that virtue clung to His robes; but He will distinguish the soul of holy trust amid many false ingredients. There is also the touch of affection. He knew when the woman crept to kiss His feet. He did not instantly speak of it, but said afterwards, "From the time I came in she hath not ceased to kiss my feet." Not one loving expression from thy heart to His is lost on Him!

THOUGHT: Hope thou in God ... who is the health of my countenance.

3. CERTAIN WOMEN MINISTERED UNTO HIM
Luke 8:1-15; Mark 15:40,41

We read and speak much about the twelve disciples of Jesus, but little do we mention the faithful band of women who ministered "behind the scenes". These, like the sinner-woman despised by Simon the Pharisee, had received much blessing from the Lord, having been "healed of evil spirits and infirmities". Constrained by love and moved with gratitude, they ministered unto the Lord with their substance.

In following Jesus, these holy women would have faced the contempt and scorn which was heaped on Jesus' disciples by the hostile scribes and Pharisees. But what was this compared with our Lord's toil and trouble as He "went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the Kingdom of God"? This faithful band cleaved to the Lord to the very end, even as He traced His steps to Calvary. They stood to the last by the cross, and they were the first at the empty tomb. Do you not think they outshone the men?

The record of these faithful women must encourage some girls and women reading this today to take up their cross and follow the Lord. Let no sense of weakness, or fear of falling away, deter you from following. The Lord has use for everyone! The mother of a large family may think that she has no time for Jesus. The wife of an unbelieving husband may be afraid to speak up for the Lord. The daughter of idol-worshipping parents may feel so weak and intimidated. The maid in a heathen household may feel it quite impossible to practise her faith.

But these are all quite wrong! With the Lord nothing is impossible! Look to Him in prayer. Reflect on His love. Think of the price He paid for your salvation. Ask Him to strengthen you, and fill you with Holy Spirit power. Then begin to live and witness for Him. Trust Him for victory, for our Lord is ever victorious! You too can be as one of the faithful band of women who ministered unto the Lord.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor