Broken: Jesus & The Prostitute

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Jesus Podcast

Episode: Broken: Jesus & The Prostitute

Host: Zach (Pray.com)
Date: June 2, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode, "Broken: Jesus & The Prostitute," masterfully retells the biblical narrative of Jesus’ encounter with a prostitute—here named Ahava—highlighting deep themes of brokenness, shame, genuine worship, repentance, and the transformative grace of Jesus. Through a blend of vivid storytelling and heartfelt theological reflection, listeners are immersed in Ahava’s journey from despair and shame to wholeness and redemption at the feet of Jesus. The episode explores how true worship springs from sacrifice, love, and a deep response to the truth of God’s Word.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Tone: Grace & Forgiveness

• The episode opens with a prayerful meditation on the power of forgiveness as exemplified by Jesus:
  • Quote: “This verse is a beautiful reminder of your infinite grace and the power of forgiveness that flows from your heart, transforming our lives and restoring our souls.”
    — Narrator (00:00)

2. Introducing Ahava: Life in Brokenness

• Vivid narrative situates Ahava in the margins: a prostitute weighed down by shame, broken dreams, and despair, yet longing for something more:
  • She clings to a hope sparked by Jesus' teachings on forgiveness and the Kingdom of God.
  • Despite ostracism and abuse, Ahava is drawn to Jesus, perceiving in Him the possibility of a new beginning.
  • Quote: “No little girl grew up expecting to be a woman of the night. Her life was a tragedy... Her shame was like an anchor, dragging her deeper into despair.”
    — Narrator (03:09)
  • Ahava’s most valuable possession is an alabaster flask of precious ointment—a symbol of her hope and security.

3. The Scandalous Act: Ahava’s Bold Worship

• Ahava makes a courageous decision: she leaves the brothel and crashes a Pharisee’s dinner party to reach Jesus.
  • Despite hostile stares and judgment, she brings her most precious possession, intent on worship.
  • Quote: “She darted for the door... 'I can’t stay here anymore. It’s time for something new.'”
    — Ahava & Ahava’s Friend (07:15)

4. The Dinner at Simon’s House: Hypocrisy Exposed

• Jesus is hosted in the house of Simon the Pharisee; He is met with coldness and subtle disrespect—no washing of feet, no anointing, no welcome. Jesus, unbothered, watches as the conversation is interrupted by Ahava’s arrival.
  • The Pharisees are scandalized. Their judgment contrasts sharply with Jesus’ compassion.
  • Quote: “Everyone wanted to be seen, but no one was truly looking. Each man’s attention was directed inward... Their words were laced with refined vocabulary and poetic prose, yet they lacked substance.”
    — Narrator (09:44)
  • Jesus sees Ahava’s true worth, beneath the dirt and shame.

5. Ahava’s Act of Sacrifice

• Ahava falls at Jesus’ feet, washing them with her tears and hair, and then breaks her precious flask to anoint Him. This gesture is costly—it is all she has.
  • Quote: “She took it and broke it... the fragrance burst through the air... Her livelihood and security meant nothing compared to an opportunity to serve him. This was her fresh start.”
    — Narrator (15:57)

6. Jesus Confronts Simon: The Parable of Forgiveness

• Jesus addresses Simon and the room with a pointed parable of two debtors, both forgiven of unequal debts:
  • Quote: “There once was a moneylender who had two debtors. One of them owed 500 and the other owed 50. So the moneylender forgave them both and cancelled their debts. Tell me which of those debtors will favor the moneylender more?”
    — Jesus (18:17)
  • Simon answers correctly, but Jesus reveals the true heart issue: Ahava’s act of love far surpasses the religious performance of the Pharisees.
  • Quote: “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven and she has loved more in this one gesture than any one of you could put together.”
    — Jesus (19:32)

7. The Power of Worship: Host Reflection and Application

• Host Zach unpacks the significance of Ahava’s action as a model for genuine, sacrificial worship:
  • Genuine worship helps us leave our shame behind and step into new identity in Christ.
  • True worship requires sacrifice—laying down our most precious possessions or securities before God.
  • Worship, at its core, is a response to God’s truth and love.
  • Knowing God more deeply expands the reservoir of our love and capacity to worship.
  • Quote: “As we lay our lives before Jesus, he lifts us up out of shame and into a place of love and prominence... If you're feeling any ounce of brokenness... turn your attention to Jesus.”
    — Host Zach (22:37)
  • True worship is not to gain God’s favor, but a grateful response to love already given.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ahava’s Shame:
  “Her tears fell onto Jesus’ feet. Ahava removed her head covering and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and hair. The Pharisees began to stir. Everyone’s eyes widened...”
  — Narrator (14:47)

• On the Power of Forgiveness:
  “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
  — Jesus (Recalled repeatedly by Ahava, 04:50 & 05:49)

• On Genuine Worship:
  “Worship is not the initiation of our relationship with God, it’s the extension of that relationship with Him.”
  — Host Zach (22:37)

• On the Heart of God:
  “He sees you, and He wants to be known by you. And as you know Him, and as you feel known by Him, it creates this beautiful relationship in which you get to offer genuine and loving worship.”
  — Host Zach (25:29)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – Opening prayer on forgiveness
• 03:09 – Introduction to Ahava’s life and inner pain
• 07:15 – Ahava’s decisive choice to leave her past
• 09:44 – Scene set at Simon’s house; tension between Pharisees and Jesus
• 14:47 – Ahava’s emotional act of worship and sacrifice
• 17:26 – Jesus addresses Simon, introduces the debtors’ parable
• 19:32 – Jesus announces Ahava’s forgiveness before the crowd
• 22:37 – Host reflection: lessons on worship, shame, sacrifice, and knowing God

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Episode Takeaways

• Redemption is possible for all, regardless of past or shame.
• Genuine worship is expressed through sacrifice and is rooted in love and knowledge of God.
• Worship aligns believers’ hearts with God and is not meant to earn approval, but to respond to the love already bestowed.
• The story challenges listeners to exchange brokenness and shame for wholeness and adoption as beloved children of God.

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For daily devotionals and more resources, visit JesusPodcast.com.

Transcript

[Narrator]

And he said to her, your sins are forgiven. Dear Heavenly Father, our hearts are filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility. This verse is a beautiful reminder of your infinite grace and the power of forgiveness that flows from your heart, transforming our lives and restoring our souls. We come before you Lord, acknowledging our imperfections and the times we fall short of your glory. Yet in your boundless love you offer us forgiveness that wipes away every stain, making us new again. May this divine assurance warm our hearts and remind us of the depth of your mercy and love. Help us to extend this forgiveness to others. Mirror your unconditional love and grace in our daily interactions. May our lives be a testament to the power of your forgiveness, inspiring those around us to seek your face and experience the peace and joy that come from being reconciled with you. In the precious name of Jesus, we pray do you hear that?

[Host (Zach)]

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[Narrator]

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[Narrator]

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[Host (Zach)]

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[Ahava's Friend]

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[Narrator]

Thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast. Stories from the Gospel retold to ignite your faith and awaken your imagination. Remain here for a dramatic retelling of Jesus and the prostitute. It's emotional, scandalous and packed with profound truths for you and me. Follow this podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. Doing so will keep you updated, but also help us get discovered by more people. We want the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world. Thanks for making that possible. Ahava leaned against the chilly stone wall with her shoulders exposed. The alleyways were dark and damp, with only a few flickering candles to light the way to her quarters. Roman soldiers, thieves and vagrants passed by, giving her a look to see if she was worth the coin. Ahaba's hazel eyes were glazed over and impassive. Her life had spiraled out of control. No little girl grew up expecting to be a woman of the night. Her life was a tragedy. She had suffered broken bones and broken dreams at the hands of evil men. Ahaba felt broken. The weight of her shame was like an anchor, dragging her deeper into despair. By night, Ahava entertained her guests. By day she searched for a particular teacher named Jesus. She had heard him on the Mount, where he spoke about the kingdom of God, righteousness, and forgiveness. Since that day, Ahala searched for Jesus wherever he could be found. She joined the multitudes of people leaning in to hear him teach. She remained in the back in awe that he would give his time to sinners and outcasts.

[Jesus / Simon / Pharisees]

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

[Narrator]

The words echoed in Ahava's mind. That truth was a faint light flickering in the dark chambers of her soul. She postured herself against the cold stones like any other night. But this time she had a nagging pain in her chest that wouldn't go away. She was unsettled and anxious. Although she had never loved her permission, her sins had never felt as weighty as they did now. She no longer felt natural. The thousands of excuses she gave herself seemed empty now. Ever since hearing Jesus, a deep conviction had grown within her. His words reverberated.

[Jesus / Simon / Pharisees]

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

[Narrator]

Again and again she heard his voice. Now with her back against the wall and men approaching, she had no choice but to respond to these feelings. Ahava wrapped herself up in her shawl and hurried inside. Other women were inside, preparing themselves for the alley.

[Ahava's Friend]

What's wrong, Ahava?

[Narrator]

Ahavas ignored the question. Ahava ignored the question. Her heart was pounding out of her chest. She rifled through her belongings, digging through garments and jewelry.

[Ahava's Friend]

Where is it?

[Narrator]

She finally found what she was looking for. It was an alabaster flask that was wide at the base with a short top that was sealed shut. It had purple twine wrapped around the base and an orange strand to wear around her neck.

[Ahava's Friend]

Here we are.

[Narrator]

She put the flask around her neck and looked at it. Most women had a flask like hers. Within it was precious ointment that only became more valuable with age. It was the most valuable thing she owned. Her safety net.

[Ahava's Friend]

What are you doing with that? Why aren't you out in the alley?

[Narrator]

Ahava looked at her friends with water dyes.

[Ahava's Friend]

I can't stay here anymore. It's time for something new.

[Narrator]

She darted for the door and touched the handle.

[Ahava's Friend]

You can't leave. What are you gonna do? Everyone knows who you are and what you've done. Nobody will accept you.

[Narrator]

Ahava paused.

[Ahava's Friend]

There may be someone who does.

[Narrator]

Ahava left behind the brothel and ran down the valley with the alabaster flask around her neck. It was her livelihood, her chance to start over.

[Host (Zach)]

Do you find yourself at a place in life you'd rather not be, Maybe one you never would have expected because of the good news of Jesus Christ? It doesn't matter where you find yourself now. What matters is how you respond to the gospel and how it moves you forward. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast, a year of story showcasing the depth of Christ's love through storytelling and the glory of God's truth through honest reflection. I'm Zach, your host from Pray.com, and I'm really glad you're here. Today's story is one of brokenness and beauty. It brings the message of redemption and how we can be made whole in Christ. If you haven't yet followed the podcast, we would love it if you do so. We've noticed that about 50% of the people who listen to this podcast still aren't following it, so make sure you don't miss an episode. Click that follow button and leave us a review while you're at it. We'd really appreciate it. There's something truly beautiful about watching Jesus at work in the Gospel, especially when we get to see moments like this encounter with the prostitute from today's story. As we jump into the life of who we've called Ahava, we find a young woman who had, somewhere in life, allowed bad choices to pile up until she found herself where no one plans to be. She was selling her body to make ends meet, and at some point she's had enough of it. With the emotional and physical dangers she faced every day, we'll see that Ahava was ready for something different. She was ready for a fresh start. Determined to see her life turn around, she takes a decisive action to see a positive change in her life. For once filled with nerves, she overcomes the fear of ridicule and the judgment of others to then approach Jesus. Cutting scandalous and brimming with Christ's love, today's story will surely draw you closer to the heart of the Father.

[Narrator]

The home was warm and smelled of fresh bread and incense. The walls were arrayed with immaculate tapestries. Freshly plucked flowers from the nearby garden were on each table. Jesus reclined at the table with A cup in his hand, watching the religious leaders mingle amongst themselves. Jesus was invited to parties like these. Often they were filled with ambitious men who desired to be seen. Everyone wanted to be seen, but no one was truer looking. Each man's attention was directed inward. Jesus scanned the room. He was bustling with intense conversation regarding the law of Moses, temple hierarchy, and political oppression. Candles flickered around the room as men swung their hands to emphasize arguments. Their emphatic gestures next to the lamplight made a dance of shadows against the wall. Their words were laced with refined vocabulary and poetic prose, yet they lacked substance. There was no love or thought on the character of God, just empty noise. Every one of them was blissfully unaware of their hypocrisy. Jesus and his companions were invited to the home of Simon, a prominent Pharisee. However, none of them were treated like guests. When Jesus entered, no one greeted him. No one anointed him with oil, nor was there a place for him to wash his feet. All the honors offered to other rabbis were withheld from Jesus. Jesus knew their intentions. This was their subtle attempt to put him in his place. Jesus was not bothered by it. He lounged back and sipped his cup. Many leaders approached, attempting to catch him off guard with questions about the law of prophets. The dining room was noisy and filled with clanging pots and laughter. However, the noise was swiftly interrupted and a sharp silence broke over the entire home. The silence was thick and lingering. The sound of plates and cups was replaced with the intense stares of everyone in the room. Jesus looked up to see a woman enter from the corner of the room. Her head was down, but her identity was unmistakable. She was a woman of the night, a prostitute who worked in the alley. The men in the room were completely silent, allowing their glares to do the talking for them. The woman held her head low. She wore a shawl over her to hide the gown she worked in. She didn't want to make a scene or cause a commotion. She only wanted to see Jesus. Jesus caught a glimpse of her face. He had seen her before. She had attended many of his teachings. Ahava. What is she doing here? How did she get in here in the first place? The Pharisees whispered with vicious intensity. She was equally enticing and revolting to the Pharisees. To them, she was barely human. However, Jesus saw her as a bruised and forgotten child, someone who had been beaten down by the brutality of man and forced to a life she would never have chosen for herself. There was no doubt she was a sinner. However, this was the state of every man and woman under the sun. She was a lost sheep who wandered from the pasture. Tonight, under the dim light of Simon's home, this sheep was calling for her shepherd. The woman silently fell at Jesus feet. She would not look him in the eye. Her shame was like a cancer. She held her head low, too embarrassed to look up to heaven. Tears dripped down her lips. She wept with a broken soul before Jesus. The candlelight bounced off her tears. Her face was like a diamond that had been covered in dirt. The shame she felt hid her beauty. Her tears fell onto Jesus feet. Ahava removed her head covering and washed Jesus feet with her tears and hair. The Pharisees began to stir. Everyone's eyes widened momentarily as her hand approached the top of her dress. What she did was surprising to all in the room. She pulled out an alabaster flask that hung around her neck. In that flask was precious and expensive ointment. It was a fragrant oil that each woman in the city had. It was her most valuable possession for a woman her age. The ointment was was supposed to be used for selling during hard times or given to a husband as a wedding gift. Her livelihood was in that flask. She took it and broke it on the ground beside Jesus feet. The fragrance burst through the air like a fresh spring wind. The smell was intoxicating. The room stirred as they watched the woman take the oil and anoint Jesus head. Ahaba had spent all she had on Jesus. Her livelihood and security meant nothing compared to an opportunity to serve him. This was her fresh start. Jesus smiled, accepting her offering gladly. She worshipped him in the best way she knew how. Like the alabaster flask, Ahava was broken on the outside. But within her was beauty and value. Jesus saw her. The Pharisees were no different from all the men that had abused her. They refused to see the heart, the hidden beauty and the potential behind the sin and shame. This is what I get for inviting a friend of sinners to my home. Simon whispered to one of his companions. He didn't think Jesus heard him. He was sadly mistaken. Jesus eyes darted forward to the back of the room. He saw Simon leaning against the back wall. He stood to his feet and looked directly at the Pharisee.

[Jesus / Simon / Pharisees]

Simon, may I say something?

[Narrator]

Jesus asked, breaking the silence. Although he asked politely, there was authority in his question. It sent chills down Simon's spine.

[Jesus / Simon / Pharisees]

By all means, Rabbi.

[Narrator]

He gestured for Jesus to have the room's attention. However, Jesus was not in the mood to give a sermon. Instead, he wanted to address Simon's heart and no doubt the heart of every other Pharisee in the room. They knew Jesus was a gentleman, but they also heard how he single handedly cleared the temple with a whip. Jesus scanned the room momentarily, looking at the Pharisees faces. He nodded to Simon and began to tell a parable.

[Jesus / Simon / Pharisees]

There once was a moneylender who had two debtors. One of them owed 500 and the other owed 50. So the moneylender forgave them both and cancelled their debts.

[Narrator]

Jesus opened his arms and asked a question.

[Jesus / Simon / Pharisees]

Tell me which of those debtors will favor the moneylender more?

[Narrator]

Simon gave a fake grave. Doing his best to feign confidence. He shrugged.

[Jesus / Simon / Pharisees]

You are correct Simon.

[Narrator]

Jesus returned to the woman and helped her to her feet. Jesus raised his voice for all to hear. He pointed to the woman and spoke to Simon, saying, do you see this woman?

[Jesus / Simon / Pharisees]

Simon? When I entered your home, you gave me no water to wash my feet or no oil for my head. You didn't even bother greeting me at the door. And yet this woman has shown me more honor in a single moment than you have this whole night.

[Narrator]

The other Pharisees looked at Jesus with trepidation. They had always feared Jesus influence over people. However, they were also beginning to fear his influence over their own hearts.

[Jesus / Simon / Pharisees]

Hear me all of you. Her sins, which are many, are forgiven and she has loved more in this one gesture than any one of you could put together.

[Narrator]

He turned to the woman, held her head and looked her in the eyes like a loving father. Ahava blood beamed from ear to ear. A new life awaited her. A life of wholeness, being loved and learning to love in return. She departed from Simon's house. She didn't know what would be next for her, but she knew she would never return to the alley.

[Host (Zach)]

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[Ahava's Friend]

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[Ahava's Friend]

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[Host (Zach)]

Ahava's story really is no different from ours. Though many of us consider ourselves far better off than she is, the reality is we're all broken apart from Jesus. We all have experienced the agony of the consequences of poor choices or circumstances that we've been thrust into against our will. But what the story of this prostitute shows us is that the best way to walk through our brokenness is to be at the feet of Jesus. Worship aligns our hearts with God's rest and resets our priorities and reminds us of his goodness. And really, today's story was a story of worship. As we follow along the actions of Ahava, we're given an amazing picture of what genuine and true and humble worship looks like. First, we're reminded that worship helps us to leave our shame behind us. It was likely hard enough for this prostitute to show her face in public during the day, but this Woman was so determined to worship at the feet of Jesus that she willingly stepped into the dinner party of a Pharisee. She's in a room filled with the religious elite. That's the last place a prostitute worried of judgment wants to find herself in, let alone what anyone would have expected. But she wouldn't let her shame hinder her from coming before the Lord. She knew that the piercing glares and the judgment that would be thrown at her was worth enduring if it meant she got to be in front of Jesus. Drawing near to Jesus in worship allows us to leave our fear and shame. But behind us, as we lay our lives before Jesus, he lifts us up out of shame and into a place of love and prominence. If you're feeling any ounce of brokenness, or maybe you're just so broken it feels like you can never be put back together, turn your attention to Jesus. Look at the gospel and how he broke himself for you. That he, the God of the universe, saw you as so precious, so precious in his sight, that he would hang on the cross for you. That should humble you, but it should also give you confidence in just how seriously God wants to be with you. When you understand just how precious you are to God and how earnestly he wants to be with you, man, you're not going to feel any shame coming to him. You're not going to feel judgment as you crawl to him and come to him for worship. God wants to lift that burden from your shoulders. The burden of shame, the burden of sin, the burden of your past and despair. We also learn another necessary truth in our story today, and that's that worship requires sacrifice. As every woman in the city had, the prostitute held in her possession a small alabaster flask of expensive ointment. This perfume wasn't meant for cosmetics. In dire circumstances, this cherished item was a means of safety and security for one down on their luck or who could sell it as a secure means to live. In the best of circumstances, it would be used as a promise of one's love to their husband, a gift for their wedding. And in the worst circumstances, it would be sold when all other options have been exhausted. For Ahava, the small container meant something even greater. It was the means to a new beginning in life. She used this precious oil to anoint Jesus as an act of worship. Today, the idea of worship is often linked to music and singing songs. While this is a form of worship, certainly there's much more to it than that. At its core, worship is an overflow of our adoration for God and it's an ascribing of worth. The word itself comes from an Old English word, worth ship. To declare something is of worth. The true worship of God requires sacrifice. Declaring that God is worth giving up anything for. For Ahava, it was worth giving up her most prized possession. Whether it's through financial giving, using our talents and gifts to serve others, or spending time praising him and his greatness. There are countless ways that we can worship God through sacrifice. The author of Hebrews tells us, through Jesus. Therefore let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Though worship may be a sacrifice, we will never be at a loss because of it. To give up the world but gain Jesus is the best trade off we could ever imagine. We learn another lesson in this story. When we worship, we have to come to him with the right heart first and foremost. This means knowing that worship isn't a means by which we gain or earn God's approval, but rather is made possible through God approving of us. We don't lift our voices and raise our hands during worship to get God's attention or to get him to smile at us. But like a child looking up into the eyes of their loving father, we reach up to God who gazes upon us with radical love. Genuine worship, in spirit and in truth is a blessing to God and pleases Him. But understand that before any act of worship on our end, God has already poured out the fullness of his love towards you. He is already pleasing you because you've declared your faith in Jesus. Worship is not the initiation of our relationship with God, it's the extension of that relationship with Him. When you worship, allow it to flow from a place of experiencing God's love, not yearning for it. Let your heart be filled to overflowing with his affection for you. And then reciprocate that love by giving worship to Him. There's another lesson here. Jesus encounter with the outcast prostitute teaches us one more insight on the nature of our worship. Worship is a response to God's truth. The prostitute's decision to worship Jesus wasn't a random idea inspired out of thin air. In our story today, we learn that Ahava had previously heard the Lord teach. And the bold claim that he came to call sinners to repentance rang and resounded in her heart. The words of Jesus drove out her fear. The words of Jesus shattered her shame. The words of Jesus mended her broken heart as she reflected on the truth that Jesus shared. A seed was planted in her heart. It was the word of the Lord that deeply moved her soul. While many people worship in ignorance, genuine and spiritual worship is grounded in truth. It's grounded in what we know to be true about God. That means the more we know about God and the more we ingest his truth, the deeper reservoir of worship we have to offer Him. My love for my wife increases as I continue to peel back the layers of her character and who she is. There are some. Even after years of marriage, there are new things I get to discover about her. And as I learn more about her, I fall deeper and deeper in love with her. You see, the more truth we learn about God, the more we learn about his character, the deeper reservoir of love we have, and the more we are effectively able to worship Him. Just like the more you know about your spouse, the greater capacity you have to serve them and love them well, the same is true about us and our God. The more we know about him, the more we're able to sacrifice for him, love him, serve him, and ultimately worship Him. While many people worship as an act of religion, Paul reminds us in Acts 17:22 that worship ought never to be out of this blind and ignorant faith. He says this when he's speaking to the people of Athens. He says this, I see in every way that you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription to the unknown God. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship. And this is what I am going to proclaim to you. You see, Paul makes note that people are very religious. That is to say, they have invested a lot in their spiritual practices. However, he reveals that their worship has fallen short because they're ignorant of the very person they're worshiping. It is here that Paul began to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, laying out the foundation of understanding of who God is and why God loves them so much. Know that God loves you. He sees you, and he wants to be known by you. And as you know him, and as you feel known by him, it creates this beautiful relationship in which you get to offer genuine and loving worship. Thanks again for joining us for the Jesus Podcast. You already know what to do. Leave a review rate and share it with a friend. And if you're looking for more resources,