Reading Luke 7 verses 36-50 the last few days has sparked some thoughts. The story begins with a Pharisee inviting Jesus to come over and hang out with him and eat dinner. (one of my favorite things to do) A woman comes in and starts crying at his feet for all the sin she has been involved in. She is truly repenting for the tough things that have made up her life to that day. The Pharisee, who we see later in the story is named Simon, thinks to himself that if Jesus was really a prophet and knew how bad this woman was, there's no way he would allow this to happen. Jesus knew his thoughts and instead of raking him over the coals and telling all the others at dinner at what a judgmental dude this dinner host is... he takes another approach. He begins a parable....it starts with 2 men that owe a lender some money. One owes $500 dollars and the other one owes $50. The lender who loaned them the money says that they will forgive the debt with no re-payment necessary. Pretty good deal huh? Where can I find this lender, I need to borrow a few bucks! Jesus then asks Simon which one of the men will love the person more who owed him money. He answered correctly in that he said the one who owed more money to him and had a larger debt forgiven. Exactly..the one who had the larger debt forgiven will love the person more. More sin, more forgiveness. He said the woman who came in and started wiping her tears and washing Jesus feet is forgiven and loves him much. In fact, he calls Simon out. He says when he came in his house for dinner Simon did not even wash his feet..this woman has been washing his feet with her tears ( of wanting forgiveness). He then said that he was not greeted with a kiss....and again this woman has not stopped kissing the feet of Jesus since she came in. He also said that Simon didn't even annoint his head with oil, and yet the woman has been at his feet with pefume and washing his feet. My goodness..what kind of host are you man. Maybe we should have the sinful woman host next time. He explains that a person who shows great love to Jesus is one who has been forgiven much. When we think we have been forgiven a little...we love little. Realize our forgiveness big time..love bigtime. He tells the woman that her sins are forgiven and that her faith has healed her. Go in peace!
May we all go in peace this weekend as we realize the saving grace of God and his power to forgive us of all our sins! He is Risen!!
