Let Down Your Hair

“A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 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.” Luke 7:37-38

I was done. I announced it at 3:47 pm Pacific Standard Time on that day in September. Three weeks into schooling my children, I was done. Honestly, they had done nothing outside of their usual childishness yet I had let it all build up so much I suddenly was spewing out the top. Yes, that ugly mom moment.

Fast forward to the end of the day. I had come off the cliff and felt so horribly guilty.

The baby was down, and I was undone in my guilt. I changed out of the pajamas from the night before (I realized I never changed clothes, but at least I had put a bra on) into a new set. I don’t know why that even was important. But I did hope it would bring refreshment to my mind.

Why do I get this way? Why did I mess up again? I had read my Bible that morning. It's supposed to set the tone for the day.

I let my slightly matted hair down out of my messy bun and sunk into my bed. As I wiped my tears with the mess of my hair, I remembered the woman in Luke.

“A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 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.” Luke 7:37-38

The woman in that passage let her hair down for Jesus in a big way. Did you know that in the context of that culture was a woman should not let their hair down? In fact, it was grounds for divorce. But, Jesus didn’t die for the law - he lives for the forgiveness of the repentant heart.

We see in the tense of the original words that she had met Jesus before. She had planned out this sacrifice of this expensive perfume and her social dignity. Her sins were forgiven, but she wanted to worship Jesus with all she had with no matter what anyone would say about her. She gave Him everything at that moment with reckless abandon.

She let her hair down, loved Jesus, He commended her greatly.

So, let down your hair. Repent and be forgiven. Worship Jesus and take comfort in His sacrifice for you. There are new mercies every morning. And as our tears empty out of our overwhelmed hearts, they can be filled by the eternal living water of Jesus Christ.