Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have know who and what sort of woman is touching him, for she is a sinner.”- Luke 6:39
In Chapter 9 (“An Offensive gift”) of One Way Love, Tullian Tchividjian reiterates the concept of if-then conditionality, reward and punishment. He states that the logic of the law makes us feel safe, is easy to comprehend, and promotes a sense of manageability. By nature, Pastor Tchividjian notes, we are allergic to grace. Grace violates our deepest sense of justice and rightness, especially when it’s applied to those we believe are undeserving.
Tullian then discusses the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil while He was eating dinner at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. The author states that the woman clearly had come to the end of herself, dying to everything but her desire for help. He adds: “Grace begins where pride ends.”
However, this dinner scene was most offensive to those who witnessed the encounter. Pastor Tchividjian believes the real reason the witnesses were offended wasn’t because they were too prudish or hyperreligious, although most likely they were!
As Tullian emphatically states:
“Grace offends because it is offensive. . . . And while we see it mirrored in countless ways in our daily lives and relationships, the Gospel is the only place where we find this kind of paradigm-shattering grace in its pure, unadulterated state.”
Today’s question: What has enable you to extend grace to those involved in your vocation loss? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Control vs. grace”
