Westside Church of Christ

If ever a person needed a new beginning, this woman did (Luke 7:36-50). She had a well-earned reputation that brought condemnation from the religious establishment. Her sins were no secret, and she showed up at a dinner for the Son of God at the home of one of the spiritual leaders. Awkward! She made such a fuss over Jesus that the host mentally questioned his guest. Surely, a prophet would know about her. She is wicked.

He knew alright. He was a prophet and then some. He also knew about this self-righteous man’s thoughts. A new beginning? Yes, she needed one and knew it. The critic was blind to his need. One received a brand-new start with a clean slate. The other did not. She had not come to proclaim her sinlessness or to judge anyone. She came to lavish love on the Lord of fresh starts. No one could have needed it more, and that is our Savior’s specialty.

King David knew from experience the filthy feeling of catastrophic sin (Psalm 51). Adultery and conspiracy to murder were part of his story. The most powerful man in the nation had let his wandering eyes stir his flesh to take another man’s wife. An embarrassing pregnancy led him to eliminate her husband. A prophet slapped royalty in the face with God’s view of things, and the guilt would linger in David’s mind for a very long time. He needed a fresh start.

God forgave him but there were still consequences. Perpetual warfare would be his legacy.  Adultery would come into his house, and he would be the humiliated victim. The baby would die. The enemies of the Lord would be given more ammunition to blaspheme God. David, a influential man needed to start over (2 Samuel 11-12). Sin is horrible. Consequences ripple far and wide.

An anonymous woman with an embarrassing past. We are given no information about what her sins were, only that they were many. God’s handpicked king through whom the Spirit spoke and is one of the most famous men in history. His transgressions are described with details. There is very little mystery. What could they possibly have in common? It is a problem that we all share. At one time or another we have a life twisted by sin and needing a new beginning.

Sin tarnishes God’s image so much that it isn’t recognizable. We long for a chance to start over again and wipe the slate clean, but we wonder if that is possible. Years of walking in the darkness scars us deeply. Maybe we’re a person of prominence who stumbled terribly and brought shame on the whole concept of Christianity and the church. Is a fresh start possible for me? It always is. The well-known and the unknown can begin again with the Lord. This would be the perfect day to begin. Happy New Year!

Call to Praise: Psalm 46:8-11

His word on it: Psalm 46:10

Sermon: “Be Still and Know”