Good Morning. In Luke 7 we read a passage of scripture that tells us of a woman who was in a bad way. She was a believer, but she was definitely a sinner. She believed that God’s Word was true, and therefore that His justice was real. She also knew what kind of life she was leading. Indications were that she was a prostitute. There could have been a number of reasons that a woman of her era and location would consider such a way of life when she felt that her personal survival was at stake. It seems likely that she could justify her life to herself as being what was needed to survive, but she knew she could never justify it to God. And then she found Jesus.
The passage I am speaking of is found in Luke 7:36-50. It is the account of a Pharisee who invited Jesus to his home to eat, but his actual intention was to make it clear that Jesus was someone of whom he did not approve. The Pharisee did not extend any of the required traditions to welcome a guest into his home. He did not even have his lowest valued servant wash Jesus’ feet, and this would have been an unforgivable social snub. The Pharisee had invited others to join them, and many others to stand around and observe. He wanted to belittle Jesus and was doing his best to do so. In the middle of this meal the sinful woman entered. She lavished her attention upon Jesus. She washed His feet with her hair wet with tears. She kissed His feet and anointed Him with ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:39 Jesus would not allow the man’s attitude to continue unchallenged. He gave the man an example of two people forgiven of a debt, one of a greater and the other of a smaller amount. Jesus asks the Pharisee which of those persons would “love” the who forgives them more? It is obvious that the one who is forgiven much would be more appreciative, and that was the Pharisee’s answer. Jesus went on to point out how His host had gone out of his way to insult Him while this woman was going to extraordinary levels to show her gratitude. Which of the two of them would be considered to be showing love to Jesus? Obviously, it was the sinful woman.
Our question to think about today is whether you consider yourself to fall into the category of a person who has needed to be forgiven only a little, or do you recognize yourself as someone who has been forgiven in extraordinary ways? If you consider yourself a member of the first group, good for you! However, I might ask you to take a bit more time to honestly consider your answer. If you consider yourself a part of the 2nd group (and quite frankly, I can’t imagine that any right-minded Christian person wouldn’t feel that way), then I think it is fair to ask and consider how we are relating to Jesus our joy and thanksgiving for His forgiveness. Is your love for Him as extraordinary as the forgiveness He has granted you?
Praise our Lord today. Praise Him in extraordinary, exceptional, outlandish ways. He deserves nothing less!
Vern