Is it not true that a sense of being ashamed of the gospel shuts out from its blessings those who entertain such unworthy feelings?
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.—Mk. 12:30.
Finally, let us learn from this picture that the gospel is not meant for those who are not glad to make a free-will offering of sacrifice as a token of this grateful love. This woman brought an alabaster box of ointment.
"My head with oil thou didst not anoint; but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment." Christ did not exact this of her—it was a free-will offering. If the gospel does not draw out our gratitude and liberality, then it has never touched us. It is not because of our gifts that we are forgiven, but it is because of our forgiveness that we give. "To whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little."
"That man may last but never lives,
Who much receives but nothing gives;
Whom none can love, whom none can thank,
Creation's blot, creation's blank.
"But he who walks from day to day
In generous acts his radiant way,
Treads the same path his Saviour trod—
The path to glory and to God."
Now, having learned from this picture for whom the gospel is not intended, let us learn for whom it is intended. Ah! how with a few bold and simple strokes the whole matter is made plain.
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.—Mark 11:31.
First, I notice that it is meant for sinners. "Behold a woman in the city which was a sinner." Jesus "a friend of publicans and sinners." That tells the story. "I came to call not the righteous, but sinners." Some people find fault with the church because there are so many sinners in the church. Just as well find fault with a hospital for having sick people in it. Just as well find fault with the doctor for visiting invalids. "Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee; you are finding fault with me for allowing this sinful woman to touch me. Let me tell you, Simon, that it is just for this very purpose that I am come into this world." "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ came into the world to save sinners." He was the great Physician and great physicians are those who have a specialty. This was Christ's specialty—to save sinners. Who is this that forgiveth sins, also?