It was a joy to have a colorful aunt when I was growing up, especially when all her correspondence was sealed with a kiss. 

Mom’s sister was Aunt Coco. She was tall and thin and the mother of a lot of children, just like Mom. The things I remember most–besides her big smile–are that her toenails were always painted red, and anytime she sent a letter or card to our family, she added a bunch of X’s and O’s beside her signature, representing her love. The X’s represented kisses and the O’s hugs. At least, that’s what Mom said.

A little research revealed this to be true. An X began to represent a kiss in a roundabout sort of way. In the Middle Ages, when many people were illiterate and couldn’t sign their name, they marked an X instead. X is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ. When the person using this type of signature kissed the X, it made the signature an oath or a promise. Pretty powerful.

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 7:38 NIV

The woman kissing Jesus’ feet evokes incredible imagery. She knew the depth of her sin and the power of His forgiveness. It’s interesting that she kissed the feet that others would soon nail to the cross for her own many sins and ours, too. She literally kissed the X, but Jesus kept the promise.

You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.

~Luke 7:45 NIV

The woman knew how much she needed Jesus. Because her gratitude matched her love, she gave him many kisses.  

When we recognize our many sins and our desperate need for forgiveness, we are beyond grateful for Jesus. We can’t literally kiss His feet, but we can love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind. And we can invite God to have His way in our lives and be grateful He loves us enough to change us.   

Think of ways that will help you love Jesus with all your heart, soul, and mind.

Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to show me the depth of Your love and to keep Your promise. In Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: Sealed with a Kiss: Melinda Cooper: All Rights Reserved