Wk 3 Tue
Luke 7:36-50.
A Sinful Woman Forgiven
36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
THINK
“You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:46-47
“Who am I to judge?” “Actions speak louder than words.” “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” These are words of wisdom and words to live by. The Pharisees in this parable saw only a sin-filled woman whom they considered unworthy to be near the great teacher. They felt a sense of superiority over others. They could not recognize their own sinful nature, their personal bias. Jesus, on the other hand, saw a repentant, faith-filled woman, whose sins he forgave.
Jesus sees beneath the surface of each of us. He knows our sinfulness, our repentance, our faithfulness and our love for Him. He is our only judge, and his judgement is “forgiven and made new!” We, too, should look beneath the surface and beyond the past in order to strive to live a Christ-like life. We, too, should forgive the sins of others.
Are there people whom you have misjudged because of their actions or works? Are any of us truly less sinful, in thought, word and deed than anyone else? Should we not also forgive others, as Christ has forgiven us?
Pray for the ability to forgive:
PRAY
“Dear Jesus, I ask for a repentant heart, that you might help me to forgive _____________, as you have forgiven me. Help me to judge less and love more. Amen”