My deepest desire really is peace. I came to that realization today: peace and security. Sometimes I think that I really desire a cool experience with the presence of God or to have my relationship with Him look exactly like someone else’s because I allow the spirit of comparison back into my mind. However, when it boils down to it I really have a deep need for security and a peace that flows from the knowledge of that security.
Jesus knows that. Huh. Crazy how these past many many months have been rooted in peace. Even when I’ve wanted him to be crazy in expressing his love for me when I am in his presence, he knew I really needed and desired and craved peace. It was only because all these other people I loved and knew were having different experiences that I wanted those other experiences. I wanted to know that his presence was real…and oh, it is! That peace is so real and so deep and when I’m there I’m truly satisfied. It’s when I analyze and examine and compare that I become dissatisfied. Just look to me, my Lover is calling. Just look to me.
I think most women really need and desire this peace. Men too, but how I have been struck by the need for it in women. Only in deep, abiding peace of the Spirit are women beautiful and alluring! I found two women in Luke on whom Jesus also knew they needed peace, the peace of his presence, his love, his affection.
The first woman is found in Luke 7:36-50. It is the well-known story of the woman who anoints Jesus feet and yet I was shown new insight into this incredible story in my time with the Lord. It all has to do about visualizing how these people are positioned. Where is the woman in relation to Jesus? I always imagined the woman sitting before him, but in verse 38 it says that the woman is behind Jesus: “…and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” She enters anonymously, humbly, not even seen by the one whom she is worshiping. Even more importantly though is the verse 44 where Jesus turns to see the woman: “Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman?’” Do you see this woman?! Jesus truly sees the woman beyond the surface, beyond the sin that the Pharisees so quickly pointed out. He sees a woman deeply in love. She came anonymously and leaves known! Jesus turns to her; Jesus sees her. She came humbly and leaves exalted in Jesus’ words. She came with love and leaves forgiven. But the last thing Jesus leaves this woman, for her faith, is peace: “Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you, go in peace.’” He turns to her to pour his blessing of forgiveness and peace into her life!
When we come to Jesus, he wants to bless us in many ways and not least of all with his peace! Peace is so crucial to him! He sees our need for it, desires to grant it and bless our lives with it. Will we not receive it in faith? Jesus has turned to us! Look deep into his eyes, dive deep into his presence, and receive his everlasting, surpassing of all understanding peace!
If you are not convinced of the significance of peace in this passage, the next passage of Luke 8:40-48 is of another woman Jesus turns to! It is of the woman who has bled for years with no cure and manages to touch the hem of Jesus’ cloak and is instantly healed. Instantly healed. The woman is already healed. Jesus knows that and still seeks her out…despite his urgent call to heal a very sick little girl. He questions who touched him, who it was that received the power that flowed out of him. It wasn’t an angry question, but an urgent, eager question. Why? Because Jesus wanted to give this woman something beyond the physical healing that was received instantly. His only words to this woman were, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” The woman knew she was healed; she told so Jesus herself. Jesus wanted to bless her with his peace! Jesus sought her out to give her peace! She came anonymously and leaves known! Jesus turns to find her; Jesus sees her. She came boldly and leaves healed. She came with faith and receives peace.
Women (and men too!), receive his peace! You may feel anonymous, but you are known! You may feel lowly, but you will be exalted in his love! You may feel insecure, but he is waiting to be your security and grant you his peace! Go in faith and be more than healed.
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