Respond!

Is it possible to earnestly ask Jesus to come, yet be found idle when He actually does? In Luke chapter 7, verses 36-50, we have the account of Jesus in the Pharisee’s house, but being worshipped by another. It presents to us an interesting scenario:

“And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”

We have here a record of at least two types of responses: (1) the worshipper’s response, and (2) the Pharisee’s response. A contrast is here presented between the believer of much love and the believer of little love; the reactive one, and the one dull of heart; the needy one, and the one who seemingly knew no need. How strangely sad that it was the Pharisee who had “bidden Him” come, yet was found so lacking in the end. Jesus sharply rebukes Him for his lack of response. Are we any different?

God is in the house! Are we found worshipping? His revealed Word resounds, are we found at His feet? Jesus rebukes the Pharisee for what he did not do. The Lord was there with His presence, and the Pharisee was found standing idly by. How grievous that there exists a people who desire this said glory and Word yet casually ignore it when it is present to change them! Our Lord sternly says, “I have something to say to you”. And the Pharisee responds, “Master, say on”.. What a strange dilemma! Can one possibly be so willing and eager to hear the Word of the Lord and yet in the end be caught declaring, “who is this”? Can we so readily invite Jesus into our spiritual houses, only to merely sit by and watch others experience Him? Wanting Jesus isn't enough (Ps 27:4). Let's respond when He arrives in our midst!

Reader, our personal response is so essential! Nobody can respond for you.. “But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented” (Matt 11:16-17). The Word of God is being proclaimed! Are we responding to it? The presence of God is breaking in! What is our reaction? God is looking for a people who are radically responsive to His Word and His wooings. May we never be a people who merely bid Him come, and are found idle when He appears!

We find a similar scenario in Luke chapter 10:38-42. Surely it was Mary’s response to Jesus’ presence and Word that brought her eternal fruit: “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Lk 10:41-42). And do we find it strange that it was Martha who actually offered the invitation to the Lord to come in (Lk 10:38), and yet was found questioning God’s character: “Lord, dost thou not care?” (Lk 10:40). How then was it Martha who was lacking? Friends, it was her response to His presence! It was her response to His Word! It indeed was and is Jerusalem’s lack of response to the true Messiah that left their house to them “desolate” (Lk 13:34-35). May we, by the grace of God, never be a people who have merely “bidden Him” come; but let us also press against the hosts to lay hold of Him! In doing so, we will find ourselves readily growing in grace and in the knowledge of God, until that day of its glorious culmination!