Fri.’s Devo - Forgiveness is for the Humble

Read Luke 7:36-50 Jesus was accused of being a winebibber and a friend of publicans and sinners so now we are going to see what that really looked like. He was invited to come and eat with Simon, one of the Pharisees of the city. While they were eating, a lady with a bad reputation came in with an alabaster box and began washing Jesus feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair, and anointing his feet with oil. Simon knew the reputation of the woman and wondered why Jesus didn’t perceive this, being a prophet. Jesus not only perceived that, he perceived the Pharisee’s thoughts also and answered his thoughts with a parable. The story he tells is of a wealthy man who has loaned money to two other men. One man owes him 500 pence and the other 50. They couldn’t pay so he forgave them both the debt. Then Jesus asked Simon, “which of them will love him the most?” Simon thought about it and said he guessed the one who owed him the most. Jesus commended him for his right answer and then turned it toward the woman. She was the debtor in the story that owed the most, had been forgiven the most, and now loves the most. Because Simon didn’t think he had sin, being a Pharisee who follows the law to the “t”, he wasn’t humble. He didn’t wash Jesus’ feet, kiss him, or anoint his head with oil. Then Jesus turned to the woman and told her that her sins were forgiven. If Jesus hadn’t already offended the Pharisees with his rebuke of their poor hospitality, this had to put them over. Who was this Jesus that thought he could forgive her sins? Then, to ice the cake, Jesus told her that her faith had saved her so she could now live in peace. The Pharisees had to be seething by now. Jesus never seemed to care about his reputation or well-being. He did not come to save those who didn’t think they needed a saviour, but he came to seek and save the lost who knew they were lost. Our pride keeps us back from so much of what God is all about. He is not impressed with any of the outer fluff we see as acceptable but he is after the heart. Lord, may our hearts be open and bare before you. Show us how we can wash your feet and anoint your head with oil today.