July 4

Luke 7:36-50 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:

Journal Entry

Scripture

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.
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.”
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.”
50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Observation

The actions of the sinful woman were true faith in action. Although she doesn’t say a word, her bold actions, at a great cost to her, revealed how much she loved Jesus.

Jesus in response does not stop her or send her away but receives her love and forgives her sins that she may have peace with God. Jesus does not shun sinners but welcomes them to come so that they could realize God’s gracious forgiveness for them.

In Jesus’ parable, he compares a moneylender canceling debt that is owed him to forgiveness of sin. Debt that was removed was at the discretion and the desire of the moneylender whether great or small, as forgiveness of sin is by the grace of God. The two debtors are compared to this sinful woman and the Pharisee. One debtor owed 10x the money than the other so when the debt was cancelled to both, the one with the greater debt loved the moneylender more. As was the case with the woman, knowing the magnitude of her sin (debt), poured out her gratitude humbly and extravagantly whereas the Pharisee did not.
Again Luke made the point that Jesus was more than a prophet. He forgives sin, which only God can do, thus showing God’s authority and power was in Jesus.

Application

How do I view God’s forgiveness of my sin? Am I like the sinful woman, admitting my countless sins and go to Jesus with such gratitude as to forsake my pride and sacrifice all to be with Jesus and serve him humbly or am I like the Pharisee probably thinking, “I’m a good, religious person. I did what I can by inviting Jesus to my house, but I can’t stoop to wash his feet or genuinely welcome him with a kiss or give recognition to him as the “anointed one.”

Do I truly understand the amount of debt that was cancelled on my behalf because Jesus paid it on the cross? If I do, how should my life be lived out differently? God in His infinite knowledge and wisdom knew we needed guidance and gave us the resource book of all time, the Bible. My faith action would be to read it, meditate on it and to obey what God tells me through His Word.

Prayer

Lord, Thank you for forgiving me of my sins and releasing me of the debt that I would not have been able to pay on my own. Thank you Jesus for paying the price of my debt (sin) on the cross for me. In response to the great love that you have shown me, may my life be lived out in faith with love to You and to the people you put upon my heart; with thankfulness so that I share the blessings with others; with humbleness and boldness that I would do anything, without reservation, for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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