CHILD FRIENDLY MUCH FORGIVENESS, MUCH LOVE!

Luke 7:36-50 GNT

A Pharisee invited Jesus to have dinner with him, and Jesus went to his house and sat down to eat. [37] In that town was a woman who lived a sinful life. She heard that Jesus was eating in the Pharisee's house, so she brought an alabaster jar full of perfume [38] and stood behind Jesus, by his feet, crying and wetting his feet with her tears. Then she dried his feet with her hair, kissed them, and poured the perfume on them. [39] When the Pharisee saw this, he said to himself, "If this man really were a prophet, he would know who this woman is who is touching him; he would know what kind of sinful life she lives!" [40] Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Yes, Teacher," he said, "tell me." [41] "There were two men who owed money to a moneylender," Jesus began. "One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other owed him fifty. [42] Neither of them could pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Which one, then, will love him more?" [43] "I suppose," answered Simon, "that it would be the one who was forgiven more." "You are right," said Jesus. [44] Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your home, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. [45] You did not welcome me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my feet since I came. [46] You provided no olive oil for my head, but she has covered my feet with perfume. [47] I tell you, then, the great love she has shown proves that her many sins have been forgiven. But whoever has been forgiven little shows only a little love." [48] Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven." [49] The others sitting at the table began to say to themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" [50] But Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

 

In this story, a woman who had done many wrong things came to Jesus. She brought her most expensive perfume and poured it on His feet. She cried, wiped His feet with her hair, and showed Jesus how thankful she was.

Some people didn’t think she deserved to be near Jesus. But Jesus knew her heart. He knew she was sorry, and He forgave her. Jesus loves everyone, no matter what they’ve done, and He always welcomes those who come to Him.

God does things for us daily and just like the nine “other” lepers in Luke 17, we don’t return to say thanks or bring a gift for the giver of all gifts. Yet, this “sinful woman” who couldn’t afford it, came back with not just words of gratitude but a very costly gift to show her appreciation. Have you ever received a gift you didn’t feel you deserved? How did you manage it?

We all make mistakes. Romans 3:23 says everyone has sinned. But Jesus is ready to forgive us when we come to Him with a humble heart — just like the woman did. The best gift we can give Jesus is our heart.

Proverbs 23:26 — “Give me your heart.”

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

-        What special gift can you give Jesus today to show you love Him?

-        Is there an area where you need to be humble and ask Jesus for help?

-        How can remembering your own mistakes help you be kinder to others?

PRAYER: Thank You, Jesus, for seeing my future and not just my past. Please forgive me and help me always come back to You with a thankful heart. Amen.

Shalom

 

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