Title: "Spontaneous Worship"
Introduction: We do not know for certain who the woman was in this text, but we do know for certain that we will see her in Heaven and that her example has made a great impact on Christ and his Church. Tradition has it that it was Mary Magdalene in the text.
I have divided my thoughts on this text into two divisions. First, there are some things that you can plan in your worshipping of Christ. And, secondly, there are some things that you cannot plan on. These are spontaneous things. Spontaneous worship is the essence of revival. A Church can plan a revival, but only God can bring a revival to a Church.
Three Things that you can plan on…
1. Where you might find Jesus.
This woman had heard that Jesus was at the home of Simon that Pharisee. She could anticipate that Christ would be there.
People attend Church every Sunday morning in hopes of worshipping Christ there.
2. What you can bring to Jesus.
This woman would bring a gift to Christ, an alabaster box of ointment.
I would liken this unto a person who has placed their tithing envelope in their Bible as they head off to Church on a Sunday Morning. The gift itself was premeditated.
3. The reaction of the Pharisees.
I am sure that this “sinful” woman anticipated the hateful pious stares that she would receive from Simon the Pharisee. She had no doubt have gotten them before.
But there were seven things that she could not have planned on which is the essence of spontaneous worship!
Things you cannot plan on…
1. That Christ would need her to wash his feet.
It was the custom that a servant of Simon would have been called upon to wash the visiting guest preacher’s feet. Simon showed no such kindness.
The loving motherly instinct of this woman’s grateful heart overwhelmed her. Unplanned and unprepared as she was, she began ministering to Christ.
You know that you have revival when…
You see that God needs you.
Application: Perhaps you came to Church to simply sit and to observe as others performed their acts of worship. But as you began to look about the place, God revealed to your heart where you could be of help. You could be an usher, you could be a Sunday School Teacher, you could help in the Church nursery. Your gift mattered. You mattered. God called YOU into the ministry!
Things that you cannot plan on…
2. Tears.
Tears came forth from the heart of this woman. No one plans on going to Church just to weep.
You know that you have revival when…
Your heart becomes opened before the Lord.
Things that you cannot plan on…
3. Kissing the feet of Jesus.
This woman unceasingly kissed the feet of the Saviour.
You know that you have revival when…
The Saints in the Church begin greeting one another with a holy kiss.
It did not matter to the woman what others thought of her. She had to do something to express her love for Christ. Jesus said, “What you have done to the least of the brethren, you have done it as unto me.” If you want to kiss the feet of Christ, let me suggest to you that you greet one another with a holy kiss. Ask God to give you a way of expressing your love to some member of your local Church that could use a holy kiss today!
Things that you cannot plan on…
4. Drying the ointment and the tears from the feet of Jesus with her hair.
I am certain that this woman meant to give this precious ointment to Christ. I am not certain that this is how she intended to present the gift. Perhaps she had thoughts of anointing his head, but not his feet. She had no towel.
A woman hair is her glory. She would wipe the feet of Jesus clean with her hair. What an holy act of spontaneous worship!
You know that you have revival when…
God is getting your very best.
Things that you cannot plan on…
5. The fragrance that filled the room.
To me this fragrance speaks of the power of the Holy Spirit. You can introduce him to your Church, but you cannot control the power of Christ once he begins to permeate the hearts of those who are in the service1
You know that you have revival when…
God is in complete control.
Things that you cannot plan on…
6. The acceptance she had in Christ.
Jesus told Simon the parable of the forgiven debtor and then uttered to the woman, “Thy sins be forgiven thee.”
You know that you have revival when…
The lost are being saved. Nothing will ignite the Church with greater excitement than when the lost are coming to Christ!
Things that you cannot plan on…
7. The peace that overwhelms the heart in revival.
Jesus told the woman to “Go in peace.”
You know that you have revival when… God’s People are being set free from the power of sin. People have made peace with God and experiencing the peace of God!
Conclusion:
Spontaneous worship is the essence of revival. Has your heart been touched with revival?
