Series: Short Stories with Jesus
Message: Feet Kisser
Preacher: Jessyka Albert
Reflection: Jessyka Albert
Live Wonder: Zan Long
Live Adventure: Zan Long
Live Purpose: Vanessa Rivera 
Editor: Becky De Oliveira

Refresh: Begin with prayer. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your heart to new understanding and for God’s character to be revealed.

Read: Luke 7:36-48 in the English Standard Version (ESV). Note 1–3 insights or questions.

Reflect: The story tells us that the woman went to Simon’s house because she heard that Jesus would be there. If you read through the story too quickly you miss so much. To gain some prospective, let me ask you this: has there ever been a time in your life when you went to a party, a class, someone’s home, or maybe even church and your stomach was in a knot because you knew that person would be there? That person who doesn’t like you one bit. That person who will make you feel uncomfortable beyond belief. That person who you know will talk about you behind your back after seeing you.

This woman, this sinful woman, walked into the house of a Pharisee. She knew this man would judge her. She knew this man knew many of her sins. She knew this man would talk badly about her later. But she entered his home. Why? She went because Jesus was there. She was not going to let any person get in the way of her falling at the feet of her Savior in humility.

I would be a liar if I told you I never skipped a class, a Bible Study, or Church all together to avoid someone who I felt would be more harmful than helpful to my heart and mind. Maybe you have too, but both of us then should admire and be challenged by this woman who was brave enough to go where Jesus was even if it was an uncomfortable place for her to be. Even if there were people who made her feel terrible. I would like to add a disclaimer that you should never force yourself to go somewhere where you feel you are in danger or in harm’s way.

Many times though, we let other people have control over our lives and over our journey with Jesus. This woman knew that although she was walking into the house of someone who would judge her, she was falling at the feet of someone who would forgive her. She had her eyes set on Jesus, not on the external people or situation at hand. Being at the feet of Jesus, she was home, she was safe.

She was brave enough to act and she was not going to let anyone get in the way of being where Jesus was.

Recalibrate: Is there someone you have allowed to have control over your walk with Jesus?

Respond: Thank God that Jesus is with you always and ask for courage to go where Jesus calls you to go.

Research: What is it like to learn as a child or teenager? Challenge yourself to read through the Wonder, Adventure, and Purpose sections that follow each day’s Daily Walk.

Remember: “She has been forgiven of all her many sins. This is why she has shown me such extravagant love.” —Luke 7:47 (TPT)

Jessyka Albert is a graduate of Union College and a native of Washington State. She has been the associate pastor at Boulder Adventist Church since 2016. She serves over three branches of faith development, Wonder, Adventure and Purpose.

Place flour or sand or rice on a tray. Using your fingers, draw a picture of a smiley face. See if your child can do the same. Talk about all the things that bring smiles to your face. What things do you think brings smiles to Jesus’ face?

Draw a picture using emojis or words to describe what the dinner party would have looked like, the expressions on people’s faces. Put yourself in the picture; where would you have been and why?

Have you ever told someone “I forgive you” but didn’t really mean it? Can we truly forgive others if we forgive only a little bit? Jesus states that we forgive little when we love little. Why do you think love and forgiveness are so connected? Consider forgiving someone whom you forgave a little bit in the past and forgive them completely.