H. L. Sheppard
Bulletin
November
2006
Could
anyone hurt more than she? Was it possible for any mortal soul to live long
with the abject shame and humiliation that her profession engendered?
The
scars must have been hideous. The cuts must have gone clear through to her
heart. How many lonely nights did she lie awake in the darkness longing for a
little human kindness, a tender word, a loving smile. How many times did her
tears carry her mind’s thought down a river of desperation, reminding her that:
“harlots can never know a man’s love, only his lust.”
It
happened on a day like today. Standing on the same street corner where she had
plied her trade for years, a funeral procession caught her eye. A poor, sad
weeping widow was escorting her only child to a cemetery at the edge of town.
She was helpless. She felt hopeless. Then came Jesus.
The
Resurrection reached out toward the lifeless corpse and touched the casket.
Immediately, the boy arose. His mother, and the few friends who accompanied
her, must have been in a state of joyous shock. Not only did Jesus give life to
the dead but, to the harlot, who watched from a distance, He gave hope.
In
a while she found Him dining at Simon the Pharisee’s house. Kneeling behind the
Lord, the conspicuously unworthy intruder poured out her tears as a libation
upon His feet, then dried them with her hair and anointed them with ointment.
He spoke only four words to her: “Thy sins be forgiven.”
No
man had ever spoken so sweetly. No words had ever so deeply affected her soul.
Jesus did not address her profession. He did not condemn her method of worship.
He simply forgave her.
A
lifetime of shame and degradation seemed to vanish before her eyes. The
extraordinary ever-present weight of worthless human refuse immediately lifted
off her conscience. She suddenly realized that her life had real value. Jesus
had forgiven her. She would now live for her future. He had erased her entire
past with four simple words.
A Precious Outcast became the focal point of one
of the Bible’s most poignant stories. The day started with the Resurrection
giving life to a lifeless corpse. It ended with the Savior giving new life to
One Precious Outcast that society had already buried in a grave of carnal
hopelessness.
Have you won
“One?”
Are you praying for
that “One” soul that God has placed on your heart?
ONE
FRIEND’S DAY
The first Sunday of November (5th) is “ONE FRIEND’S DAY.” I encourage you to bring “ONE FRIEND” on this special day. Find someone who needs what you have and share the love of God with them. I’ll see you in Sunday School!