As we look at Jesus' public ministry, we would find how he often takes the limelight and addresses the crowds. At other times, he would simply withdraw from the public eye in order to be alone and have time for prayer.
This Sunday we come to one of the special times when Jesus has been invited by a Pharisee for dinner and he graciously accepts the invitation. It is what transpires here that captures our attention.
During Jesus' time there, a woman comes unexpectedly and brings along her jar of ointment. She is weeping and goes directly to Jesus and bathes his feet with her tears. She then kisses his feet and anoints them with ointment she has brought. The Pharisee is up in arms and says to Jesus that if Jesus were aware of who this woman really is (a sinner), he would not have permitted her to do what she did. Jesus' response came in the form of a parable. Here it is:
"A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" Luke 7:41-42
The answer ought to be obvious. I like the way that Jesus often gets his point across by using a parable. The reason the woman showed extravagant love was because she realized how much she had been forgiven. Now you and I might say we don't have a bad reputation - at least I hope not - and yet have we really considered how much we have offended God with our sins - those we are aware of and those for which we have no knowledge, yet are known by God?
I would invite you to consider the words of this parable and also look at your own life. Where do you stand in your devotion and love for your Lord? Do you realize how much Jesus has forgiven you? My message on Sunday will have us see the intersection of this story with our own lives.
Pastor Marty
This Sunday we come to one of the special times when Jesus has been invited by a Pharisee for dinner and he graciously accepts the invitation. It is what transpires here that captures our attention.
During Jesus' time there, a woman comes unexpectedly and brings along her jar of ointment. She is weeping and goes directly to Jesus and bathes his feet with her tears. She then kisses his feet and anoints them with ointment she has brought. The Pharisee is up in arms and says to Jesus that if Jesus were aware of who this woman really is (a sinner), he would not have permitted her to do what she did. Jesus' response came in the form of a parable. Here it is:
"A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" Luke 7:41-42
The answer ought to be obvious. I like the way that Jesus often gets his point across by using a parable. The reason the woman showed extravagant love was because she realized how much she had been forgiven. Now you and I might say we don't have a bad reputation - at least I hope not - and yet have we really considered how much we have offended God with our sins - those we are aware of and those for which we have no knowledge, yet are known by God?
I would invite you to consider the words of this parable and also look at your own life. Where do you stand in your devotion and love for your Lord? Do you realize how much Jesus has forgiven you? My message on Sunday will have us see the intersection of this story with our own lives.
Pastor Marty
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