Forgiven Much...

SCRIPTURE

Luke 7:36-8:3

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.’ Jesus spoke up and said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Teacher,’ he replied, ‘speak.’ A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then turning towards 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 bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’

Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.


DEVOTION

Today I am struck by how many women heard and heeded the good news! In a time period when women were not regarded highly, Jesus surrounded himself with women--healing them, making them his followers, and allowing them to participate in his earthly ministry in the ways in which they were called to do so.

It is very affirming to know that our Lord was no respecter of persons! Instead, Jesus practiced a "whosoever will" mentality that caused him to love, heal, and forgive anyone who came to him with an open heart.

This is still true today, for we know that ultimately God gave Jesus to die on the cross to make atonement for our sin and gift us with eternal life.

It continually amazes me that God allowed Jesus to die for all people. Whether we are black or white, rich or poor, male or female, or defined by any other category, Jesus died for us!

In today's reading Jesus points out that the one who is forgiven much, loves much!

Since we have all been forgiven more than we could ever imagine, we should love God that much too!

Jesus invites all of us to go in peace, for our faith has saved us! And we are also invited to follow Jesus--loving, serving, and providing for Kingdom Work out of our resources, until Jesus comes again.

Go in peace, my friends and serve the Lord! (Thanks be to God.)

Let us pray:

Holy God, thank you for Jesus. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit. Please help me to know--and believe--that Jesus bids me to be at peace. Please help me to love you with all that I am and to share our love with everyone that I meet, until you come again! I pray this in Jesus' Name, Amen.


SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today you are a Christian! I would be so honored if you would take a moment to let me know that you put all of your hope in Jesus today by clicking YES in the upper right hand corner of this blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

I also pray that you will tell a Christian friend about your decision, so that s/he can help you find a good Bible believing church to attend where you can be baptized and grow in your faith.

Congratulations! Your salvation is our good news. Please share the good news with someone today!^{424445464748495023}