^E-1
Brother Carlson, and honorable guests, Brother David duPlessis, and
Brother Roy Weed, Brother Mattsson-Boze, and all, we are happy to be
here this morning to–in the service of the Lord. And I just feel full
this morning to hear all these wonderful testimonies and watch how they
react on the people. I was hearing the testimony of the alcoholic and
watching Rosella setting there, to see what effect it had on her;
watching this Baptist brother here, his prophecy that God gave him that
there was coming a sweep across the nation, watch it react upon the
people; hearing the Holy Spirit speak in tongues and interpret, and
tell us we're right at the end: it's right here now. And how God gave
him that message, and then brought him right into it. See, just…
How that if we would just look around and see how glorious that God is
moving, and doing just what He said He would do. How we must wake up,
and remember, it isn't in the future; it's now. Just keep moving, right
now. Just–just keep moving.

^E-2
And hear Brother David there. I'm sure you'll hear some great things
this afternoon at the afternoon meeting, as Brother duPlessis, whom I
was talking about the other night at the platform. And then last night
there he was, right there. I had no idea that he'd be coming. But
always has been a grand fellowship with brother David and I, in this
world travel and ministry in this last day.
And the Chicago chapter here has been so nice to me, as many times I've
been here is this fellowship. I appreciate it every time. Every time I
speak of going to Chicago, why, Billy and Leo, and all of them just
jump for joy. They just–they like to get to Chicago. They just said,
"We just feel so good around Chicago, somehow." So, we're very happy.

^E-3
Was thinking here a few moments ago of a real royal friend of mine,
Brother Roy Weed. I remember him standing by me in a hour of need when
I first started on the field; and how he stood by me when he didn't
have to, but just God… Out of the goodness of his heart stood right
with me… And every time I think of the Assemblies of God, or–or meet
some brother, maybe, that I think that he did something that wasn't
just what he ought to do (and I guess he thinks the same about me,
but… ) I always think of Roy Weed. See, I think there that we–put
his shoulder to a place and stood with me in a hour of, when I… There
had to be a decision made, because I'd made the decision upon my
promised word. And Brother Roy thought maybe before his brethren it
might throw a reproach or something. Then Brother Roy stood right with
me on the platform. I never forget him.
Then I think now that I'm–the Lord has helped me to have friends and
everything; I might see some other friend that I could help like that
too, remembering from where I come from also. Think we all ought to do
that–remember the place that we were hewed out of.

^E-4
Now, we don't have enough time here for me to preach; we know that,
'cause I'm so long at it. And I was just thinking: I wish some of the
brothers would just stay up there, you know, so that when I got up
there, I could just give a testimony and–and set down. But now, it
does leave me time to read a Scripture, I think, to get out. I
won't–we don't want to stay longer than eleven, if we can possibly
help it, because I think that's the time. Brother Carlson's so gracious.
Billy's setting here clearing up this throat and laughing at me,
because he still don't think I can preach a thirty minute sermon and
get off the platform. He always laughs at me, because he said, "Daddy,
I don't… When I met you out there tonight, you said, 'thirty
minutes,' but I watched the thirty minutes." Said, "You hadn't started
when thirty minutes come."

^E-5
By way of reading the Scripture, so we can get right into it… And
that wonderful welcome that you people gave me, I'll never forget that.
I'll never will. And I–I'd do anything for you. Sometimes I… Now,
this is just kinda on us home folks here, as we say it down south.
Sometimes you hear me cutting; and really I go home and set down, and
sometimes pick up one of those tapes, and say, "Surely, I didn't say
that. Surely, I couldn't have said that." And–and then I think, "Well,
what I have said, I have said, and it was–it was under inspiration, as
far as I know inspiration." So I'm never ashamed of it. And I–I don't
mean to never hurt anyone. If that would be my–my motive, then my
objective is wrong. See? I–I just–I–I wouldn't be… to do that.
But sometimes I get up there, think I'll read a text. I've got about
five texts here I was going to speak on this morning. (You see?), and
I–I said, "Well now, if I got thirty minutes, I'm going to speak on
this." If I've got twenty minutes, I'll speak on this. I got a hour and
a half, we'll speak on this. And so I got my thirty minute text here
this morning. 'Course, I believe in multiplication, you know, if time
went long enough, so…?…

^E-6 Let us turn, if you'd like to, over in the book of Saint Luke, the 7th chapter and the–the 40th verse:

Knowing
that the PA system is very bad, and I suppose you can hear me back in
the back now all right? Our brother here set here, a worried look on
his face, because his… watched him and felt sorry for him, and
watched how that song picked him up awhile ago that sister was singing,
and how that there's grace. We believe that–the amazing grace of
Christ. And I thought maybe that this morning we'd speak on a subject
that would be, maybe, just shortly, kind of a little drama more like,
on "One of the Meanest Men in Town." Now, that's a quite a text to take
at a business men's breakfast. But, maybe some people don't know just
what a real mean man is. So we–we would like to talk about one.

^E-7
The sun must've been going down when the courier arrived. It had been a
great day, and Jesus had been praying for the sick, preaching. And, oh,
the people gathered around just to hang on to one word that He said. I
would've loved to have been there. I've often wondered how it would've
been when I heard Him stretch out his arms, and say, "Come unto Me all
ye that labor and are heavy laden." I perhaps will never even live to
see the day when they pick up the vibration to hear how it sounds. Then
not knowing Hebrew, I would not be able to grasp it, but I do hope that
day to hear Him say, "It was well done, My good and faithful servant."
And the crowds was restless, and many hadn't got prayed for. And they
were wondering where He'd be the next day, because they didn't know one
day from the other where He would–the Spirit would take Him. And the
disciples were worn threadbare from pushing back the people, and
saying, "If–if you'll just don't press; just be reverent, and our
Master will get to you just soon as He can."

^E-8
And this courier came up. And he must've talked to, let's say, Philip.
And he must've said, "I have a–a message for your Master. I come from
a business man, and I must get this message to Him."
And Philip might've said something like this: "Our–our master is well
worn, sir, because He's been busy all day. We have witnessed with our
eyes, great miracles and signs that God has did by Him."
But the courier wasn't interested in what the miracles was. He was only
interested in what his master had sent him to say. Finally Philip,
being a Christian gentleman, weaved his way through with the courier,
until he got in the Presence of the Master. And he said, "This young
man has a message from another city, where there is a great man that
wants to speak with You about his master."
And I can see the tired, weary eyes of our Lord when He turned and said, "What would you have, say?"

^E-9 I've often thought, "What if I could've been that courier?"
But he said, "My master has give you an honor. He's having great feast,
and he wants you to be his special guest at this feast. And we would
like for you to promise us that you would meet us on such-and-such a
day. It's maybe an annual affair, and–and out of all the men, he chose
you to come."
You know, I believe if I'd have been standing there that close to the
Lord Jesus, I'd have forgot all about what Simon had told me to say.
The first thing I would've said, been, "Lord, be merciful to me, a
sinner." But that's the way many of us get. We feel that our daily task
and what our work calls for is more important than anything else. And I
believe, if we're ever in the Presence of God, our earthly prestige,
our earthly associates, our message, or our work should be last. Let's
get our confession out to Him. Oh, I'd loved to have fell down at His
feet there, and said, "I have a message from my master, but first I got
a message too. Be merciful to me, O God. I'm a sinner. And I know that
Thou art the Son of God, and I've longed for this opportunity; and now
I am kneeling here at Your feet; be merciful to me."

^E-10
But he, like many of the young people today, had other things on his
mind. And he wanted to get the message off, and he was tired. And his
legs were sweaty from running and–to get over there, because he didn't
know where the Master would be the next day. So he had Him cornered
into a certain place, that he could talk to Him.
I want you to notice the attitude that Jesus taken toward the man.
There's no doubt but what He looked upon that modern teen-ager of that
day in respects, and knew that maybe he should ask forgiveness of his
sins. But let that be as it may, He–all of His great schedule… He
had no earthy schedule as I know of, but just to do the will of God in
every move that He made. Not knowing exactly where the Father would
call Him the next day, but was willing and ready to go. In all of His
busy schedule and all that He had to do, He still turned His weary eyes
to this courier. Said, "Go tell your master I'll be there."

^E-11
Now, no doubt in my heart, and I believe in many of us today, but what
Jesus knew what was in store for Him when He got there, because He knew
the secret of men's hearts. And He knew that there was something up
Simon's sleeve, for how could a man, a Pharisee, have any fellowship
and want to see Jesus, Who he hated? The Pharisees had nothing to do
with Jesus.
And when you see people that–like that, that the people of the world
that wants to call you out somewhere to a party, take you to a
Christmas party, some of you Christians that work for the Lord, and
you're have to work there for your daily living… When you hear your
boss, who drinks, smokes, tells unclean jokes amongst the people, when
he invites you over to a certain party, got something up his sleeve.
Darkness and light doesn't fellowship together.

^E-12
When you see a little girl about five years old hanging around with
grandma, there's something wrong. See? Now, she's either grandma's pet,
or grandma's got a little sack of candy somewhere. There's too much
difference in their age. The little girl wants to talk dollies, and so
forth; and grandma's an aged woman; she has something else to talk
about. So you see, the little girl, as we would say, has got the card
up the sleeve somewhere. There's something that she's hanging around
grandma. And when the world tries to pat you on the shoulder and say,
"Would you just come on over here?" or–or something, there's something
wrong somewhere.
And Jesus knew when this Simon Pharisee invited Him over to a banquet
dinner, there was something wrong somewhere. Yet in all of that, He was
willing to go. He's–He will always come where He's invited…?…
regardless of the circumstance and what He knows will happen. You
invite Him, He will be there. Yes, you can depend on that.

^E-13
Now, He said, when the time drew near for this great banquet… I can
imagine seeing this Pharisee, which was rich. There was no middle class
of people in them days. Like in perhaps in India and around now, that's
really the poor and the rich. Those who are really rich are rich; and
those who are poor, are extremely poor. There's no middle-class people.
And the rich had all the money; the poor had none. And sometimes when
these rich people could give a banquet, they really put on a real
banquet.
So as the time set, date become drawing nigh… No doubt that Simon set
it in time that when his grapes would all would be ripe. And there'd be
a–a lovely odor all around the place of the great vineyards full of
ripe grapes, the bees a humming. And they would kill their fatted lambs
and have barbecue. And they could really bring out the choice wines,
and spread it out on the front yard, and invite their rich guests; and
they really had a real time, but the poor could not even come inside
the gate.

^E-14
And then when the day arrived, and the banquet all got ready, and
they–the animals were killed, and the barbecue pits was smoking with
fancy dressed meat, fine sauces over them. I imagine the poor were
going by, licking their lips…
Then, to come to one of these feasts, you had to be invited, an
invitation. And then when you come, why, they always, they… You had
to be welcomed when you come. When… Someone was there to meet you to
take your–your invitation, and they had you down, who was supposed to
be there. And "This is So-and-so and (strike your name off)… has
arrived."
And I remember as I was studying on how they entertained in those days
in the Orient, people… Their only travel was either by cart, or by
horse-driven, or–or by walk. The rich could ride in a carriage or
chariot; some rode on animal's back, and others walked. And when you
were walking, why, they had a loose garment, something like a robe,
hangs loose. And beneath that garment they had an underneath garment,
because the walking, and so forth, the loose robe… Then when you come
to a guest's house, when you were invited…

^E-15
You hear where the church, yet (we do at our church) observe feet
washing. Now, they say it's traditional, but yet it's–It's a
commandment. They say they did it then as a tradition, and they did.
But Jesus left it as an example. And then if He did, it's a
commandment. So then we…
When the… Lowest paid man on the job was what they called the foot
wash man. He was really just a flunky. He made the–the least money of
any of them, because at the home he only washed the guests' feet when
they come in.
Then I think if our Lord. Sometimes we think that we're somebody; when
the God of heaven changed His cast from God to become man, and He took
the position, not of the king, but a foot wash flunky to wash His
disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was
girded. Then if we don't have the highest honor when we're the
entertained, or going to be entertained… We have to be noticed by
everybody. Then I think about our Lord, how He give us example of
taking the lowest place there was, to wash the feet of the guests.

^E-16
And now, their feet got dirty as they walked, because they had sandals,
something like the Roman sandals they wear today. That was considered
their shoes. And then also, upon their limbs, for the underneath
garment came up high. And as the–the robe swished along on the little
trails that go up over the mountains… They didn't have the broad ways
like we have today. Animals traveled these trails also: camels, and
mules, horses, and different ways of travel. And along the road it
become dusty, and–and the stink in the dust.
And as they walked in this dust, that robe sweeping in the dust picked
up dirt. And while they were perspiring–which, the heat of the
Palestinian sun is very hot–and their perspiration got–they got
sticky. And this smell of the horse, and the–the animals along the
road, picked up this dust and got on them. They–they would smell bad,
because that they were walking, and this dust sticking to them.

^E-17
Then when you invited a guest at your home, the first thing happened to
make this guest welcome, after the invitation… First they had to be
invited. And then, before they could really feel at home, they had to
be prepared for that. I only wish I had time to express what's in my
heart about us when we have a revival. We invite Him, but I wonder if
we take care of Him when He comes, or do we shove Him off to one side?
Then the foot-wash flunky, as I would call him, when a man come to the
door that's the first man be net, because he–he was–didn't smell
right, dust all over him. So the first thing they did was slip off his
sandals, wash his feet and legs; and then take his sandals and set them
up, and give him a little pair of something like a slipper, a little
cloth that he put over his feet to walk on the beautiful imported rugs
of these rich people's homes.

^E-18
And then the next thing they did, after the foot-wash flunky, then he
reached upon the mantle and he got some perfume. And sometimes this is
very, very costly. And the guest held out this hands, and he poured the
perfume in his hands, washed his hands over, then put it on his neck,
washed off his face and his beard, then taken a–a towel, wiped it off,
and sometimes their neck was burning. And this certain perfume was made
up of a royal expensive (the rich people had) frankincense. They claim
that some of it was even somewhat like the queen of Sheba brought to
Solomon. It's found way up in the mountains, very rare. They make it
out of a little bud of a rose, that becomes an apple. And they have to
climb high, and it's rare to make this perfume that the rich people use
to–to anoint their guests when they come in.

^E-19
And then, they took the towel and wiped this face off, and his neck
then would feel cool, and his feet was clean, and he was rested. He
felt more like meeting the master of the house. Then he went to the
next room, and who stood there but the master of the house. Then it
was… They would meet them (stand up just a minute, brother) something
on this order. When the guest come in, now, he wouldn't feel like
meeting the master of the house if his feet was dirty and his body was
stinking with the smelled like the animals that crossed over the trail,
and his feet all sore and dusty, and his neck burning. He was…
After he was washed up, and–and was–the stink was off of him, and he
was perfumed and clean, he would meet the master. And then they would
put their hands, and pat one another like this. And then when they did,
they greeted each other with a kiss on both sides of the neck (See?),
so then they (stand up a minute), like this, kissed each other on both
sides of the neck. (Forgive me. I ought to have went through with the
rest of the demonstration.)

^E-20
And then after he was washed and perfumed–his neck not with the dust
on it, not the smell of manure, but his perfume was on there, then
the–he felt fresh, so that the–the one that had invited him would
feel released to kiss him on the neck.
And then when he give him the kiss, the kiss was the welcome. "Come on
in. Everything, just make yourself at home," when he kissed him and
greeted him. "Come in. Everything's yours. You're one of us now. Your
feet is washed, and you're–you're perfumed over, and groomed, and now
I have kissed you welcome. Now, just come into my home, and just go to
the refrigerator, and get something to eat, lay down, do whatever you
wish to. You're just at home now, because I've made you welcome."

^E-21
How did that foot-wash flunky ever pass Him? I wished I could've been
there. I'd–I'd have been watching for Him. I'd have had a special bowl
of water ready for Him. I would've loved to have met Him. I don't know;
something must've happened. He was–He wasn't there; He missed Him. And
nobody kissed Him; nobody washed Him; nobody groomed Him; nobody made
Him welcome. But He come anyhow, because He was invited.
I wonder, sometimes when we invite Him, do we think of those things?
Make Him welcome. Don't be ashamed of Him. Just when He comes in your
heart, worship Him. "Lord, come to my heart." Then when He comes, are
you ashamed, because you're standing the Presence of somebody else?
When you hear someone take His precious Name in vain, are you ashamed
to walk up and say, "Don't do that. That hurts me so bad. That's my
Master that you're taking His Name in vain." I wonder if we really
welcome Him? I hope we do.

^E-22
There's so many today, will invite Him to the city for a revival; and
then He can come, and then they just say, "Oh, pass by that stuff.
There's nothing to it." We asked Him, but we never made Him welcome.
Sometimes maybe we think He'd say something would be against our belief.
Why wasn't Simon… Why wasn't he interested in Him? How did they miss
Him? But there He sets over in the corner just like a wallflower, His
precious little head hanging down; everybody passing by. Oh, they were
interested in the affairs. And the pastor was there, and they had their
social gatherings and their talking; but what about poor Jesus? Why, He
wasn't welcomed and he… Nobody… Why He–He didn't even have His
feet washed. There was a stink. He was unlovable; He was unwelcome.

^E-23
And I wonder, sometimes, in this great, beautiful way that we call
holiness, sweetness, I wonder if the lives sometimes that we present
the people doesn't make Him just a little unwelcome, too, because of
our character. We don't live just right, the right kind of a person to
represent Him. Take back, and back up, and wishy-wishy, this way and
that way. If He's come to our house we ought to be thankful, that
Stranger of Galilee.
There He was, setting over in the corner, yet leaving His busy
schedule. And He was right there on time. Jesus never fails an
appointment. He keeps them all. You can depend on that. When He makes
an appointment, He's there to fulfill it.
And there's one appointment that we're all going to stand, because He's
made it with all of us. That's at the judgment. He's going to be there,
and you are too. We're all going the stand there.

^E-24
But here He was over in the corner. When I think of it sometimes it
just makes my heart feel funny. I think, "Jesus, setting in the corner
with dirty feet." As the Frenchman calls Him, "Jesu," Jesu with dirty
feet. Sounds sacrilegious, but that's the way He was. That's the way
that they'd left Him. That's the way they let Him set–with dirty feet.
An honored Guest, supposed to be, and they were so busy with their
doings, till Jesus set with dirty feet. I wonder if we're not so
interested today in seeing that our group grows bigger than the other,
that we don't leave Him set the same way. But Jesus, with dirty feet,
unwelcome…
There was a little woman in that city, who made her living at a very
bad way. She was a woman of the–the red light, the prostitution. You
understand. And perhaps she was a little late that morning getting on
the street. And she counted her little Roman denarii that she was
saving, maybe to by her a better dress someday. And the way she made
her money was ill-famed. She had a bad name among the people, yet let's
think she was just a young woman that had been turned out on the
street, not because she was delinquent maybe, but because she had
delinquent parents. They didn't try to take care of her. That's the
reason many of them are on the street today. Not juvenile; it's parent
delinquent.

^E-25
Was hearing this morning, when I left my room, that five little
children perished in Chicago last night in a fire, because a mother
left a little teen-age girl to watch, and the house burned down, burnt
up her children. Out to a party somewhere…
Wife and I were passing down the street yesterday and seen about four
little children setting in a car. And the oldest little girl wasn't
over about seven years old, with a little nursing baby. And one of the
little boys wanted to go with his Mama; and her get out of the car, and
light up a cigarette, and slam the door, said, "You set there," and on
downtown she went, and went into a barroom. And a seven year-old child
on the streets of Chicago, a real busy street, lower Lincoln. And there
setting there in that car was a little baby, little nursing baby. And
that wind blowing so hard I was nearly froze myself. I don't know;
sometimes I think it's the parent's fault.

^E-26
Maybe this little girl was brought up in a home like that, and she'd
just been turned loose on the street. If she'd had a praying mother
like this alcoholic brother had, things might be different. He said his
mother had prayed for him. Let me say this. When the Roman was
converted, Paul… The Philippian jailer, down at Philippi, he said,
"What can I do to be saved?" Most of us would tell him what not to do:
quit drinking, quit stealing, quit lying, quit smoking. But that wasn't
his question. "What must I do?"
Paul said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou and thy house shall be saved."
Say, "When a man gets saved, does that save his house?" No. But if he's
got enough faith to get saved himself, he's got enough faith that his
house will be saved also, the same faith that saved him. That's what
that mother thought. In the grave long ago, but her prayers just was
answered.

^E-27
Delinquent mother and delinquent father makes a delinquent child.
Maybe, let's say, this little lady had a father and mother that didn't
care for her, and she got on the street in the wrong crowd. When she
did, she became an outcast. Nobody cared for her.
This little preacher setting here, taking this note down now, when he
was telling me, that he had about forty corners here in Chicago that he
preached on, or sent people to preach on… God bless that boy. Give us
some more street meetings. That's how you get these drunks and things
in. Some of us get too high and classy to stand on the corner anymore,
go down in the slums. Jesus said, "Go in the hedges, and highways,
everywhere, compel them. The hour is at hand."

^E-28
But how, perhaps in them days they didn't have on the street down there
in her city. But she come out, after locking the door, and coming down
a little creaky steps back in a alley; and moving out, groomed herself
to meet the publicans for more money through the day, of her way of
making her living. And the strange thing was, there was nobody on the
street. Everybody seemed to be gone. So as she passed on down the
street, why, she wondered, "What kind of a holiday is it? What's wrong?
The people's all gone away for some reason."
And she smelled the aroma of that roasted lamb coming through the air.
And maybe she hadn't eat for a few days, trying to save some of her
money to get her a decent looking dress. She smelled that aroma, and
she said, "Oh, someone must have a–a feast going on." And she followed
it until she came close. And outside of the bars of the big fine
mansion that Simon lived in, while the feast was going on, the poor
people were standing there breathing in the aroma and licking their
lips. And the rich was in there drinking wine and making ready for
their dinner.

^E-29
And this little woman pushed her way through. And when they'd see her
coming, 'course they'd get back, because she was a bad character. And
she finally made her way up, till she got to peep inside the bars, to
see if she could just get a view of that that was giving that
satisfying aroma, to look at the barbecue pit to see how the lamb was
being barbecued. And just think, that one time in her life she might
set down to a decent meal. And probably she'd took her pretty hair and
fixed it all up, you know, for she was out on the street.
And as she looked all around through the audience, she seen Simon the
Pharisee standing up there, with his speeches before the dignitaries of
the city. Here's Doctor, Ph.D., LL.D. Jones, and the pastor, and here's
his associate, and here's all the dignitaries from the different
cities, standing there, you know, real and dignified.

^E-30
She thought, "Oh, look at that, how the rich have it all." Looking
around, she thought, "Well, I'll tell you; they always invite, of
course, their own class, and we never have a chance."
But after while her eyes fell to the corner. There set a little
unnoticed Person. And she could tell that the dust was on Him. "Well,
how did He get in there? Wonder Who that is?" Had His head down. Nobody
was paying Him any attention. She thought, "I wonder how He ever got
in? Why, He must have slipped in without being invited. His feet's not
washed, His being, His face is not groomed. Nobody's paying any
attention to Him. I wonder why?

^E-31
And as she looked, He raised His head. Her eyes caught His. You know
when that ever happens, something goes on. She looked Him in the face.
She said, "I never seen anyone look just like that. I wonder Who that
could be? I wonder." And maybe, somebody standing by, she said, "Why is
that Man setting there?"
Well, here's one of Simon's church members just coming up, so he
might've said, "Why is that… Oh, don't you understand? We're going to
have some fun today out of him. Simon, our master, he invited him here.
You don't know who that is?
"No, I wonder."
"Oh, that's that Galilean prophet called Jesus of Nazareth."
And when that Name struck that little prostitute's heart, she said, "Jesus of Nazareth?"
"Yes."

^E-32
And she looked back in the corner, and there He set. And she said, "Oh,
to think that He's invited, and He's not groomed, neither is His feet
washed. I remember that they tell me that a woman was drugged into the
street–or dragged into the street for prostitution, to be stoned like
I would be, and He forgive her every sin. If I could only do something
for Him, maybe He'd forgive me my sin. But what can I do? I can't even
get in the gate. If I could only get to Him, I'd like to ask Him to
forgive me." So she thought, "He's not anointed, neither is He washed,
or He's not made welcome. If I could only get His attention, I'd make
Him welcome. If He'd only talk to me, I would make Him welcome."

^E-33
So she turns, and slips down the street, down and up the little creaky
steps in the back. She thought of something. She reached down in her
stocking that she had locked away, and she picked up these pieces
of–of Roman silver. And she thought, "Oh, I can't do this. If I'd go
and buy this alabaster, why, He would know exactly how I got that
money, because they tell me He's Messiah, and I believe it. And if He's
the Messiah, He will know that I'm the wrong type of person."
And she took the money and started to put it back in the box, but
something said, "This is your opportunity. You may never get it again."
So it's a lesson. Don't never turn away that first opportunity you
could ever meet the–Him. No matter what the price is, how much you
have to confess you're wrong, do it now; because it's going to be known
at the judgment anyhow. She took the little silver that she was saving.
She said. "But this is all I got, but what difference does it make, as
long as I can get to Him."

^E-34
Down the street she goes, and she drops into the perfume shop, and here
comes this one out that… He wouldn't leave for the feast, of course,
because he thought he'd miss a sale somewhere. You know, the one that
said, "What profit it is, if we leave Joseph in there–in the hole
here? Let's sell him, and get some money out of it."
Come out; she knocked at the counter, and he come out and seen what it
was. He started to turn back, but she poured out this Roman denarii on
the… Oh, sure money. Anybody can come in now. He didn't want her in
his place of business, till he found out she had some money. Then when
she had money, oh, well, that's different. You see? "What do you want?"
I want the best that you've got. I want, not just an ordinary alabaster
box of this anointment; I want the best you got on the counter. It's
for a special occasion." That's what you got to give to Jesus. Take
your first opportunity to get to Him, and give Him your best. Give Him
your heart. Give Him all that you got, for He might not pass this way
again. Let's do all we can for Him while we can.

^E-35
She gets the alabaster box under her arm, and up the street she goes.
And she comes to the bars, and there was Jesus with dirty feet, still
setting, no one paying any attention to Him. She thought, "How can I
get in?" After… Just a few minutes before the toast was all made, and
the fine, fancy wines drank, and everything. She must've seen the
foot-wash flunky was gone, so she slipped in, slips around in the back.
You know, there's something about it. If you ever get a look at Him,
you'll do anything to get to Him. I don't care what it is. If you have
to slip under the back of the tent or whatever is, you'll do something
to get to Him. If He ever looks you in the eyes, and you can see Who He
is…

^E-36
And she slips in to the back way, and she slips around through the
crowd keep anybody… 'Cause she was–had a bad name. Why, Simon
would've had her throwed over the fence. So–but she was determined, no
matter… She was going to make an effort anyhow. Sometimes the church
might think if you go down amongst this bunch of holy-rollers, that
you'll get throwed out the door. Well, what difference does it make? As
long as you get to Jesus, that's the main thing. That's the main thing.
She came down around the side, around the side of the wall. And here He
was sitting there with His head down, and His hair dusty, and His–His
face all dusty, and His beard dusty, His feet with His old walking
sandals on, His limbs dusty and stinking. I can see her fall down at
His feet. She come the right way; she fell down at His feet. She looked
up at Him. She got scared. She thought, "What–what if He–what if He
says, 'Who are you? What are you doing here?'" But I can just see Him
reach His foot out. He knew she was coming.
She said, "Oh, if He–if He knows–He knows I'm a prostitute… (He
knows it anyhow. Yeah.) But I'd like to do something for Him. I'd like
to show Him my appreciation, because I believe He is God. And I want to
show something, some appreciation." And when she looked up at Him, and
He looked…

^E-37
She knowed that she was at the feet of Jesus. The great big tears begin
to roll down her cheeks. She patted Him on the feet. She was at the
feet of her Lord. She begin to pat His feet, and the great big tears of
repentance begin to roll down, spatting on His feet. She was so
grateful to be at His feet.
And she looked, and His feet had become wet with her tears. She was
weeping with here head down, her–her pretty curls must've fallen all
down around like this. She had no towel, and her clothes were too
dirty, probably, to wash His, or wipe His feet, so she just took her
hair and begin washing His feet, and [Brother Branham illustrates–Ed.] kissing His feet. She was grateful.
Oh, how we ought to feel the same way, not some stuffed shirt. A lot of
our Pentecostal sisters would have to stand on their head to do that.
They done cut their hair off. But her hair… She was washing His feet,
kissing them. Oh, she was at the feet of her Lord, kissing His feet.

^E-38
And after while Simon turned around and looked. "Hmm!" My, his face
raged. "Now, look what's in my house! I invited this holy-roller here,
and look what… His–his own class come. There's birds of a feather."
They still got that same idea. I'm so glad. I want–like to have tears
to wash… What beautiful water: tears of repentance washing the feet
of Jesus, tears rolling off of the cheeks of an ill-famed woman,
washing the feet of Jesus: sweetest water He ever–His feet was ever
washed with, tears of repentance dropping off on Jesus' feet. This
beautiful young woman setting there…
Simon turned around. He whispers over to his set, said, "You see? That
shows what a prophet he is. If that man was a prophet, he would know
what kind of a woman that was washing His feet." You old hypocrite. You
think He didn't know it? Said, "You see, I told you he wasn't a
prophet."
See, they had their own idea about religion. They had their own idea
about God, but it was a million miles from the real thing. That's the
way today: We have our own-made creeds and our thoughts about it. "As
long as we're Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, or Pentecostal, it's
all right." But for me, I'll take tears of repentance. Take my life and
all I got, to help wash that dirty name of holy-roller away from that
real Lord Jesus; that true Son of God thought of today as some fanatic,
a telepathy, or some mental-upset person.

^E-39
Let me in my life, pour out not only my tears but my heart, and all
that's in me, stand and try to live what's right by His grace, never
compromise on that beautiful Gospel, that Holy Ghost that saved me.
Call it whatever you want to, to me, it's Jesus. And the world's
letting Him set with dirty feet–with a dirty name as holy-roller, some
delinquent-minded person, or something, the only kind that He has.
That's what they think.
Simon, red in the face, "Now, looky here; we had this holy-roller here
to have some… We thought we'd have some entertainment out of him. I'd
prove that he wasn't a prophet. Calls himself a prophet; he's only a
telepathist. He's only possessed of the devil. He's a fortuneteller.
And that proves my point. There he is, setting there in the corner, and
his own kind with him. And there this ill-famed woman, standing there
washing His feet." And maybe the foot wash flunky was bidden not to
wash His feet, just so they could have some show out of Him.

^E-40
A lot of people comes to our meetings just to laugh, they can't make a
show out of Him. He knows your heart. You'll stand before Him someday,
sinner.
Here recently a group of people gathered in the back–student
ministers. And every time I'd start to preach, they'd say, "Hallelujah,
praise the Lord, Hallelujah,"–not knowing that same God that they're
making fun of, will be their Judge someday. That's right.

^E-41
But she continued on, no matter what Simon said. Now, Simon clearing
his throat, and red in the face, and his righteous indignation rose up,
and he was ready to explode. Caught the attention of all the people as
he turned and straightened himself. "Hmmm!" Self-righteous Pharisee,
hypocrite, church member, that's the meanest rascal I know of, is an
old moss-back make-believer. He's meaner than all the prostitutes and
teen-age racketeers there is in the country. He will drive people
farther from God than everything else, every barroom there is on the
street.
There He's setting there. And then she raises up, and she taken the
alabaster box, and she tries to break it. She's nervous now, because
when she looks up He's looking right at her. Don't worry, He's watching
you too. He's looking at you right now. We can just feel His piercing
Presence. She was nervous. She tried to–to knock the top off. She just
broke the top off, and just poured it upon His head, begin to anoint
Him. Oh, all the crowd's looking. "Yes, looky there. There his is. We
never noticed him before. He's setting in the corner, a prostitute
around him."

^E-42
I can hear Simon say, "Didn't I tell you? There's your prophet.
There–there's him. See? He would know what kind of a crowd he was
associating with."
Oh, how many times I've had that throwed in my face. "Brother Branham,
if that gift was of God, you wouldn't be with that bunch of
Pentecostals." They're the ones that receives it. They're the ones that
believe it.
The other day I was talking to a man from the Methodist church. He come
to write him a thesis on Divine healing. He said, "Why don't you come
to the Methodist church?"
I said, "Why don't you invite me?"
I said… He said, "I'm a pastor."
I said, "Well, you get you deacons and your board together, and your
state presbyter, and all of them together, an see if they'll invite me."
He said, "Oh, they wouldn't do it, Brother Branham."
I said, "That's what I thought."
He said, "The only thing they can hold against you is you're a
Pentecostal. You left the Baptist church and become a Pentecostal."
I said, "That's the one that receives it." That's right. They're the
ones that's willing to wipe Jesus' dirty feet, stand the Name of Jesus,
the reproach.

^E-43 "There, if he was a prophet he would understand what kind of a person that he's associating.
So
now she gets scared when she sees everybody–all the hush comes, and
everybody's standing looking. I can see the society women, you know,
with them glasses out like this, you know, and all the dignitaries
standing looking, you know, with their necks stretched out, and Jesus
not paying attention to them. He's watching who's ministering to Him.
He don't care how many Ph.D's you have or LL.D's. He don't care what
society your church belongs in in the city. He's wanting to find
somebody that'll minister to Him.
Whether they're white or black, yellow, brown, poor or rich, bond or
free, male or female, He wants somebody that'll minister to Him. He's
in the… His cause is needy today. It needs washing. He don't care how
many organizations we have, how many great men we bring up, how many
schools we build. He wants somebody to minister to Him, somebody
that'll live the life, somebody to testify of having the Holy Ghost, to
live a life above reproach (That's right.), somebody to live the life
that can produce. And they talk about Jesus, then produce Jesus.
Somebody that'll help was the dirt from the name of Pentecost.

^E-44
The woman was scared; she thought, "Oh, now what have I done?" Maybe we
see Him then… If He'd have moved on toe, she'd have jumped up and
been out of there, like that. But He didn't. He just held perfectly
still and watched her. He was just watching what she was doing.
Now, when the hush come, she wonders. "What's happened now?" And she
looks up. "What's He going to say?" I see Him rising up. He stands up.
She's on the floor. Her pretty hair is all down around her face. The
tears has cut down through the streaks of here face. Her great big eyes
was looking up at Him. "Oh, is He going to throw me out?" What's He
going to do for this service? I just wanted to do it, because I–I know
He forgive a woman like me one time. And I know He's God, and if I
could just do something… And because I've done it, oh, I'm scared
what's going to happen."

^E-45
He stands up: He looks around. He said, "Simon, I've got something to
say to you. (O hallelujah.) I've got something to say to you. You
invited Me here as your Guest. And I left My revivals to come be your
Guest. I left those who were crying and begging for Me to stay, to come
be your Guest because you invited Me. I left those who were hungering
and thirsting, to come to you. And I was here just on time (as He is in
this last days). I was here just at the right time. But when I arrived,
nobody washed My feet. They wasn't willing. And then there was nobody
who anointed My head. There was nobody who–to anoint My head and
to–My neck, and to wipe My face off, so I'd be presentable to the
people."

^E-46
"And, Simon, when I entered the door, you wasn't standing there to kiss
Me welcome. You wasn't standing there, Simon. You were too interested
in the new building program and the things you got going on. You were
to interested in getting more members in your association. You wasn't
there to kiss Me. You was ashamed of Me before this company. You wasn't
there to make Me welcome, to kiss Me into you heart to make Me welcome.
But ever since I–this woman has come in (He knowed who she was. Now,
what about the prophet?), she has continually kissed My feet. She
hasn't ceased, but she's kissed, kissed, kissed My feet. You didn't
give Me any water to wash My feet with, but she's washed them with her
tears. You didn't give Me any anointment, but she has continually
anointed Me since I've been in here. And I know she's a woman of the
wrong kind, but–but I say unto you…" Oh, how He bawled Simon out,
how He got turned down.

^E-47
Now He turns to her, and His eyes flashes upon her. Oh, let me hear
this. Let this be–let this be what He says to me at the day. "You was
the one invited Me, you church members. You invited Me but you didn't
make Me welcome. You didn't wash My feet; you didn't give me nothing to
clean myself up with. You didn't give my the opportunity to speak
through you, and other things to do. You wouldn't do it, 'cause you was
ashamed of Me. You let me set in the corner with dirty feet. But this
woman has continually washed My feet with the tears of her eyes, that
beautiful crystal water of repentance, wiped them with the hairs of her
head. Verily I say unto you, her sins, which were many, are all
forgiven her."
That's what I want Him to say to me: "Thy sins, which were many, is all
forgiven thee." I don't want to be classy. I don't want to belong to
any So-and-so, so they can say, "He belonged to this." I just want to
take my life and wash His feet, what I have left. At that day I want to
hear Him say, "Your sins, which were many, are all forgiven you."

^E-48
Let's bow our heads just a minute. We are at this breakfast this
morning, invited guests. And Jesus is here. In gratitude, eyes are
dampened and handkerchiefs are wiping eyes. What is it? It's Jesu in
the form of the Holy Spirit. Oh, Simon, or little woman or man that
never has accepted Him, why don't you do it now? This is your
opportunity. While we're praying, where are you at? He sees you. He
knows your heart. While every eye is closed and heads are bowed, this
great moment, how many in here that doesn't know Him, that would just
like to say, "Lord Jesus, I'd like to wash Your feet this morning with
my repentance."? Will you slip up your hand right quick and say, "Pray
for me, Brother Branham."?

^E-49
God bless you, bless you. God bless you, bless you. Others would raise
your hands, say… God bless you. God bless you, you, you. Others back
to my right, slip up your hand, say, "Jesu, O Jesus, You're my Lord.
I've stood a many time when I was ashamed of You. I've heard people use
Your Name in vain. I was even ashamed to say anything about it. I'm
sorry I did that, Jesu. I'm repenting, won't You receive me?" Will your
raise your hand, say," Remember me, Brother Branham, as you pray." Back
to my right, over in the audience, I see your hands. God bless you. God
bless you, lady. God bless you, sister. God bless you, brother. God
bless you, sister. God bless you. Another one, God bless you, brother.
God bless you, brother. Would there be some more? Just raise your
hands, then put them down.

^E-50
Right straight in front of me now, God bless you, God bless you. Jesu.
God bless you, bless you. God bless you. To my left, God bless you sir.
God bless you. The Lord bless you, sister. God bless you, way back in
the back there. God bless you. Yes, I see you, around almost behind the
shade there. But God sees you. God bless you. All over the building.
"Jesu, this morning I'm repentant."
How many of you church members now? After about thirty or forty sinners
has held up their hands, how about you church members that's had the
opportunity before others to claim the Name of Jesus, but you was
ashamed, and turned your head, and walked away? When they talk about
Divine healing or His power, you're just a little bit ashamed to say
it, "I'm a Pentecostal." You say, "Jesu, I let You set there too, but
I'll never do it again. I'm repentant. Let me wash your feet, Jesu."

^E-51
Let the church member raise their hand that's been ashamed, and… God
bless you. God bless… That's real confession. God bless you. God
bless you. God bless you. Yes, yes. God bless you. God bless you, all
around. Members, yes. God bless you. "I passed up the opportunity. I
was ashamed. It was my boss, or it was my neighbor, and–and they said
evil things about the meeting. But I didn't say nothing. I just kept
still and went on, but from this on, I won't do it. I'm going to stand
for the Name of Jesus. I'm going to do it. Jesu, I want to… I want
You to take me this morning. I want You to tell me I'm forgiven."
That's good. God be with you. While we have our heads bowed, and I want
you to repent in your heart.

^E-52 [Brother Branham begins humming–Ed.]
Jesu, many in here this morning has recognized that they have let You
set. They've passed You by, but they won't do it any more, Lord, never
no more. They'll remember this little cafeteria in this school room.
Jesu passed by. They promised they'd believe. They wanted to be
remembered in prayer. They raised up their hand towards God, saying
that "I–I now believe. I surrender, Lord. I'm–I'm finished with the
life of unbelief. I come as Your servant now." Many people… I even
seen ministers raise up their hands, that they was ashamed at the
opportunities that they had to testify, the things that they have
done–church members, but yet slack. Forgive us all of that sin, Lord.
Forgive of us of it, that we can go from here a better person, knowing
that…

^E-53
We invited You down here this morning. We invited You to come to
Chicago to this meeting with us. Night after night, day after day, we
see Your great hand a moving among us. We know it's You. And we're so
thankful, Lord. We–we just welcome You. We just thank You with all of
our hearts.
We pray now that You'll bless these people. May they take a good church
home somewhere, some good Full Gospel church, and become Your servants
and live for You until that day when we meet again. We may never meet
at another breakfast, but we'll–will meet some night at the supper,
the wedding supper.

^E-54
I pray, God, until that time, that the grace of God will give us
sufficient power and testimony to praise our God, and to live for Him
and never be ashamed of Him, for I present these people to You in the
Name of Jesus Christ, and myself with them, Lord. I present myself as a
service. Here am I, Lord, after I've interceded for them. Take our
lives together. Let them be used for a wiping rag, Lord, for they feet,
just a foot rag, anything, Lord, anything. No matter what the people
say about us, let us live, and live for Jesus, that has washed our
hearts this morning with forgiveness of our sins. We ask it in Jesus'
Name. Amen.

(Do you mean it with all your heart?)

Let's raise our hands now and sing it.

^E-55
Now, let's just in sweetness of fellowship turn right around, while we
sing it again, and shake hands with somebody around you, saying,
"Greetings, fellow citizen of the Kingdom." Those people who raised
your hands, be sure that you shake somebody else's hand, say, "I was
one who raised my hand. Can I go to your church?" Or invite them if
they tell you that. Do it.
Find some good minister that'll baptize you into the fellowship of
believers, and there God will baptize you with the Holy Ghost. Let's
live for Him the rest of our days. No matter what the price is, we
don't care… We're embarrassed, or whatever about it. Just live that
right life and live for Jesus.

All that really mean it, raise your hands now.