Forgiven much ∙

Forgiven much ∙

I tell you, her sins – and they are many – have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. – Luke 7:47

Luke 7:37-50

 37 And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume,

 38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.

 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”

 40 And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.”

 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.

 42 “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?”

 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”

 44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.”

 45 “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.”

 46 “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.”

 47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.”

 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”

 50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Things Many Do Not Know

By raising your legs slowly and lying on your back, you cannot

sink into quicksand.

Celery has negative calories. It takes more calories to eat a

piece of celery than the celery has in it, to begin with.

The glue on Israeli postage is certified kosher.

Bats always turn left when exiting a cave!

It is impossible to lick your elbow.

111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321

If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died due to wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.

Honey is the only food that doesn’t spoil.

In Shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase . . . “goodnight, sleep tight.”

It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4,000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride’s father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer, and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the “honeymoon” (Rashmi Jain).

At least 75% of people who read this will try to lick their elbow.

Spiritual Things Many Do Not Know

Our wise Father can open our eyes to see what we cannot see. He often uses object lessons. The woman, who knew that she was a sinner, and Simon provided an object lesson regarding sin and forgiveness.

Lack of recognition of our unrighteousness and sinful behavior is, itself, a regrettable sin. Evil and wickedness wreak havoc in our souls, spirits, and emotions. When we become conscious of the damage and ultimate consequences of our sin, many of us suddenly wake up.

With our awareness of sin, our need for forgiveness often becomes acute. The greater the sin, the greater the need. Self-sufficiency shuts us off from intimacy with the Father and His loving forgiveness. Our sense of need opens the door to the Father’s love and forgiveness.

Simon, a Pharisee, was impressed by the works and words of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was curious yet cautious. He wanted to know more. So he invited the Lord Jesus Christ to dine with him to learn more about Him. But Simon learned far more about himself.  The Lord Jesus Christ provided Simon with an all-important “aha” moment.

“Simon was conscious of no need and therefore felt no love, and so received no forgiveness. Simon’s impression of himself was that he was a good man in the sight of others and God. The woman was conscious of nothing else than a burning need, and therefore was overwhelmed with love for him who could supply it, and so received forgiveness” (Barclay).

REFLECT & PRAY

The one who has been forgiven much loves much, but the one who is forgiven little loves little.

Father thank You for revealing my sin and need for forgiveness to me. Thank You for forgiving me. Because I am such a great sinner, I am incredibly grateful.

INSIGHT

John 16:8-11

 8 And when he comes, he [the Holy Spirit] will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.

 10 Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more.

 11 Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged.

The Father sent the Holy Spirit into the world to reveal our need for forgiveness and salvation from the Lord Jesus Christ.

When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, sometimes the focus is on our own stubborn hearts and our refusal to believe and seek forgiveness. Other times it may be on the Father’s standards and the fact that we fall short. The Father is absolute in His holiness, righteousness, and goodness. Sometimes He focuses on the consequences of our actions and certain judgment.

Some of us were a lot like Simon. We were unaware of our sinful behavior and felt no need for forgiveness. Compared to others, we thought we were pretty good. But the Father sees things as they really are. His assessments and judgments are objective and perfect. His standard of measure is not relative or arbitrary. His standard is His own holiness, righteousness, and goodness.

Romans 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.

The Father’s response to sin is not repulsion or rejection. But instead, because of His love, He sent the Lord Jesus Christ to die for our sins. When we accept Him as our Savior, we are forgiven. He offers forgiveness to each and every one, even the worst of us all.

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all.

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, let’s settle this, says the LORD. Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.

None of us are too bad to be forgiven. But many of us think we are too good to need it.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 11-14-2

© Dr. H 2022