Tag: forgiving sins
The Lord’s compassion
Scripture reading for March 21st: Deuteronomy 6-9, Luke 7
Luke 7:12-16 “As He drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, saying “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and “God has visited His people!”
The reason behind the provisions of the abundant life flowing to us is the Lord’s compassion and mercy. In the story of the raising of the dead son of the widow, we see Jesus’ having compassion on this widow who had lost her only son and the source of her care. Jesus was moved to confront death and brought comfort to the woman by raising the dead son to life with a Word! This miracle caused people to fear God and declare God visiting them. When Jesus forgave the sinful woman who was anointing His feet with her tears, Jesus’ compassion again was evident towards all sinners. Jesus here indicated that this woman’s faith in His compassion and ability to forgive sins had brought salvation and an abundant grace!
Luke 7:48-50 “And He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with Him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, Who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you.””
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your great compassion! Your love towards sinners and the suffering moves me to seek more of Your compassion in me. I offer myself to You to allow Your compassion that will bring people to honor You and believe Your Word and experience salvation through faith by grace.
Deuteronomy 9:6 “Know, therefore, that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stubborn people.”
Extravagant love!
Scripture reading for March 27th: Luke 7:36-8:3
“When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” (Luke 7:37-38) This was a woman with a bad reputation that those present knew about. She had come to seek out Jesus and lavish on Him a display of love. She was moved to the point of weeping a flow of tears so profuse that they literally wet the feet of Jesus so that she could wash them and dry them with her own hair. She then showered those feet with kisses to show her appreciation for the ‘good news’ that those feet brought into her life! (Isaiah 52:7)
Her extravagant display was not appreciated by those religious folks who watched from across the table. Their thoughts went to her sinful life and to wondering that if Jesus were such a ‘man of God’, why was he allowing this sinner to touch Him? (Luke 7:39) Jesus then told them a small parable about two men who owed a moneylender a small and a large amount of money. Because they had no money, this moneylender canceled both debts. Jesus’ question for them, “Now which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:42) The logical answer was chosen–the one who had the largest debt canceled!
Jesus commended them for their perspicuity, and went on to point out that they had not even given Him the common respect of washing His feet as an honored guest, yet this woman had lavished on Him personal washing from her own tears. They had not greeted Him with a kiss, but this woman kissed His feet! Extravagant love comes from being forgiven much! (Luke 7:47)
If we only realized how much we have been forgiven! Or our need of forgiveness! Our sins are piled as high as the heavens and our reputation in heaven is known! We have a Savior who will abundantly pardon if we will humbly come to Him in faith! Faith works by love! Have you received this pardon? Have you gone humbly and thankfully to Him? Today is the day to show extravagant love!