My church has provided every family a multimedia CD, entitled “What’s Missing?” to use in touching the lives of people far from God. This tool is available for a very attractive price at www.whatsmissingtexas.com or www.texashope2010.com. The purpose of sharing this CD is to communicate the message that God provides security, peace, trust, hope, love and forgiveness through his son, Jesus Christ.
A miracle occurs every time a person crosses the line of faith and accepts the forgiveness only Jesus can give. Luke 7:36-50 describes this miracle of faith and forgiveness.
What the Bible says …
Jesus was the guest in the house of a Pharisee named Simon. An unnamed woman, with a questionable reputation (most likely a prostitute), approached Jesus and wiped his feet with her tears, using her hair as a towel (vv. 36-38). An interesting side note is the fact that she even had access to Jesus. Though not an invited guest, outsiders were customarily allowed to draw near important people since most events were held in open spaces.
When Simon, the host, objected to this display of honor and affection, Jesus responded with a parable—an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. “Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him 500 denarii, and the other 50. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” (vv. 41-42). Simon correctly answered the one with the greater debt would show more love and commitment. Jesus agreed.
Then Jesus summed it all up: “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (v. 47).
Blindness is the issue here. Simon could not see his own sin. Though his sins were not public knowledge, he nonetheless was guilty before God. Simon could not see the truth regarding the woman. Though her failings were known by many, her actions were in response to experiencing God’s forgiveness in her life. And Simon was blind to Jesus as well. The host rejected any notion that Jesus was a prophet, much less the long awaited Messiah (v. 39). As with most Pharisees, perhaps the only reason he invited Jesus into his home was to find some reason to discredit his work, to entrap him.
What the Bible means to me today …
It’s all about forgiveness. The heart of the gospel message is simply God can and will forgive our sins and make us whole. The greatness of our love for God and others is related directly to our recognition of the greatness of God’s forgiveness of our sins.
In light of the Scripture passage, there are some important questions to consider.
How am I forgiven and saved? We are forgiven when we accept Jesus the Christ into our lives by faith. The woman showed her love and devotion, not to a movement, not to a group of people, but to Jesus. He is the son of God, and he is God. His death on the cross paid the price for our sinfulness and rebellion.
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Does God’s love save me? No. God loves the entire world, but not everyone in the world follows Jesus. My response to God’s love in Christ brings me into a right relationship with him.
What is the proper place for emotions and works in my love for God? Jesus made it very clear it was the woman’s faith that was most important when he said to her: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (v. 50). Her tears, the gift of the anointing itself were in response to her faith. These selfless, sacrificial acts were the natural result of her faith, not the acts which saved her very life. Confession literally means “to agree with God that what he calls sin is sin.” Emotions may be a response to confession, but tears do not prove one has agreed with God that sin is sin.
How do I know my sins are forgiven? When we see ourselves as sinners and when we understand we are unable to make things right on our own, then we are in a perfect place to experience God’s love. I know my sins are forgiven because Jesus spoke to me the same words he spoke to the woman: “Your sins are forgiven” (v. 48). This is one of those issues of life where we must trust the very words of God. This is not the only reference to this promise. See Isaiah 1:18, Psalm 32:1-2 and Ephesians 4:32.
When Jesus turned water into wine (John 2:1-11), it was a miracle. When Jesus healed the leper and the paralytic (Luke 4:12-26), these were spectacular, amazing miracles. Do not miss the greatest miracle of all found in Luke 7. When Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven,” he performed the greatest miracle of all—the salvation of a lost person.
I have this multimedia CD in my hand. It is a constant reminder that there are those all around me who need Christ. God still is in the business of saving lives. He has forgiven me, and I am thankful.
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