Luke 7:36-50 tells one of my favorite stories. In it, Jesus is eating dinner at a Pharisee’s home when a prostitute enters. She kneels in front of Jesus, weeping and worshipping Him by pouring expensive ointment on His feet.
The Pharisee looked on in disgust, asking Jesus why He’d allow such a sinner to touch Him. As He often did, Jesus responded with a parable ending in an explanation. He said, “She has been forgiven of all her many sins. This is why she has shown me such extravagant love. But those who assume they have every little to be forgiven will love me very little.” (Verse 47 TPT)
It’s the same for us. When we understand we’re terrible sinners in desperate need of a gracious Savior, we, too, will worship Jesus extravagantly, pouring our life out for Him.
The Apostle Paul understood this. He started as a persecutor of Christians but later became a preacher to those same people. Because Paul understood the extent to which Christ had forgiven him, he couldn’t help but pour his life out in worship. From his conversion until his death, Paul worked tirelessly to build the early church, just as Jesus had commanded all of His disciples to do.
In Acts 20:13-36, we find reality sinking in for Paul. He senses he will soon die for the gospel, so he calls for the elders of Ephesus to meet him in Miletus. His ministry to them offers incredible insight not only for the early church but also for the Church today. It shows us how we can continue to be the Church Jesus died for—a Church of champions, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail.
His words begin in Acts 20:18-19: “…You know how I lived the whole time I was with you… I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.” Paul shows first that true champions honor Christ. They realize following Jesus isn’t all rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes it’s tears and trials, persecution and problems—and through it all, they honor Him.
Next, Paul tells the people that despite the hardship, “I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me…” (verse 24) Here, Paul shows us that true champions honor both Christ’s Great Commandment and His Great Commission. They love each other as Christ loved them, and they preach that love to every person… no matter what.
In Verses 25, 28-31, Paul ends the letter by encouraging the Church to “keep watch” over each other and “be on guard” to avoid the enemy’s schemes in the days to come. Here, we see true champions honor Christ’s community, His Church.
As we approach this season of thankfulness, let’s remember what Christ’s sacrifice gave us. And in response, let’s pour our lives out in worship, becoming the Church He dreamt of!
