7:47
Luke 7:40-47
I John 4:19
What a contrast the two of them were!
He, Simon, was a respected member of the community, a student of theology and a religious leader. He made a living from promoting the standards of the Law and his community.
She was a sinner: a street walker, a prostitute, a whore. Take your choice -- she had been called them all and far worse. The community looked down on her because she made a living from breaking the Law and the community standards.
He, Simon, was the host of the party Jesus had been invited to. He treated Jesus like an unwanted relative, offering him none of the common courtesies of the day. In our time, it was like no one opened the door for him, took his coat, shook his hand or offered him a cup of coffee.
She, a sinner, was not invited to the party, yet she did everything Simon had failed to do and more. She offered of herself extravagantly, lovingly and humbly. Kneeling at Jesus' feet, she rained tears on them to wash them, wiped them dry with her own hair, and used her only possession of worth to anoint his feet.
He, Simon, felt self-justified by his ability to follow the law. He called himself righteous and perhaps felt that Jesus had little to offer a man of his virtue and standing.
She, a sinner, knew the depth of her sin and her need. When she had come to Jesus, she came thirsty: thirsty from guilt; thirsty from regret; thirsty from countless nights of making love and receiving none in return.
When Jesus handed her the goblet of Grace, she tipped back her head and drank it in great gulps as it spilled down her chin and onto her neck and chest. She drank until it had soaked into every part of her being and puddled around her feet.
He, Simon, had never felt the need to ask for forgiveness, so had received none. He had little love or kindness to offer, even to Jesus.
She, a sinner, had asked for forgiveness, received God's forgiving grace, and so had ample love to give.
Luke 7:45 contains a truth that, like a wide-bodied jet, can lift us to new heights in our lives as disciples of Christ: a person who is forgiven little shows only a little love.
We can't give what we have never received. If we have not received Christ's love, mercy and compassion, we are not able to love others as Christ has loved us. Our discipleship is only superficially, and spiritually, we are always running on empty.
Let gives us the opportunity, through the practice of self-examination, repentance, prayer and study to drink deeply from the limitless reserves of God's grace.
In Max Lucado's book, A Love Worth Giving," he writes:
"God loves you personally. Powerfully. Passionately. Others have promised and failed. But God has promised and succeeded. He loves you with an unfailing love. And his love -- if you will let it -- can fill you with a love worth giving."
I John 4:19
What a contrast the two of them were!
He, Simon, was a respected member of the community, a student of theology and a religious leader. He made a living from promoting the standards of the Law and his community.
She was a sinner: a street walker, a prostitute, a whore. Take your choice -- she had been called them all and far worse. The community looked down on her because she made a living from breaking the Law and the community standards.
He, Simon, was the host of the party Jesus had been invited to. He treated Jesus like an unwanted relative, offering him none of the common courtesies of the day. In our time, it was like no one opened the door for him, took his coat, shook his hand or offered him a cup of coffee.
She, a sinner, was not invited to the party, yet she did everything Simon had failed to do and more. She offered of herself extravagantly, lovingly and humbly. Kneeling at Jesus' feet, she rained tears on them to wash them, wiped them dry with her own hair, and used her only possession of worth to anoint his feet.
He, Simon, felt self-justified by his ability to follow the law. He called himself righteous and perhaps felt that Jesus had little to offer a man of his virtue and standing.
She, a sinner, knew the depth of her sin and her need. When she had come to Jesus, she came thirsty: thirsty from guilt; thirsty from regret; thirsty from countless nights of making love and receiving none in return.
When Jesus handed her the goblet of Grace, she tipped back her head and drank it in great gulps as it spilled down her chin and onto her neck and chest. She drank until it had soaked into every part of her being and puddled around her feet.
He, Simon, had never felt the need to ask for forgiveness, so had received none. He had little love or kindness to offer, even to Jesus.
She, a sinner, had asked for forgiveness, received God's forgiving grace, and so had ample love to give.
Luke 7:45 contains a truth that, like a wide-bodied jet, can lift us to new heights in our lives as disciples of Christ: a person who is forgiven little shows only a little love.
We can't give what we have never received. If we have not received Christ's love, mercy and compassion, we are not able to love others as Christ has loved us. Our discipleship is only superficially, and spiritually, we are always running on empty.
Let gives us the opportunity, through the practice of self-examination, repentance, prayer and study to drink deeply from the limitless reserves of God's grace.
In Max Lucado's book, A Love Worth Giving," he writes:
"God loves you personally. Powerfully. Passionately. Others have promised and failed. But God has promised and succeeded. He loves you with an unfailing love. And his love -- if you will let it -- can fill you with a love worth giving."
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