Broken Surrender

"Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little." 
Luke 7:47 (NIV)

Have you ever broken something precious that could never be put back together? That's exactly what this woman does with her alabaster jar.

In Jesus' day, these jars are carved from expensive stone, similar to marble. They contain the most costly perfumes and oils. The thick stone keeps the aroma sealed inside and prevents them from being spoiled. But here's the catch—to access the perfume, you have to break the jar's neck. Once broken, it can never be used again.

This woman knows exactly what she's doing. She's making a one-time, irreversible statement of devotion. In her brokenness, she chooses to surrender everything to Jesus.

Simon the Pharisee calls it wasteful extravagance. But Jesus welcomes her gift—not because of its monetary value, but because of the heart behind it. Her great love flows from her great forgiveness.

Here's the surprising paradox: God's grace costs you nothing and everything simultaneously. Salvation is absolutely free because Christ paid the price. Yet experiencing the fullness of Christ requires surrendering everything else you've relied on for comfort, worth, or happiness.

When you truly grasp how much you've been forgiven, extravagant love becomes your natural response. Your broken surrender unlocks the treasure of experiencing Christ's sufficiency in all things.

Prayer: Lord, I want to be like this woman, not the Pharisee. Open my eyes to the depths of my sin so I can fully grasp the depths of Your grace. Help me surrender everything to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.