Love and Forgiveness

Daily Reading:  Luke 7

Scripture Focus:  Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little. (Luke 7.47)

Devotional Thought:  How amazing is this woman in Luke 7!  Most likely a prostitute, and certainly a woman with very loose morality, she barged into somebody’s house and went straight up to Jesus to shower him with affection, with adoration, with appreciation. 

How could anybody have the gall to do that?

·       First of all, even before Jesus stated it and she sought it, this sinful woman’s forgiveness was an accomplished fact.  Jesus was “drawing on the account” that would be created in the bank of redemption when he died on the cross.  Did you know that on the cross Jesus paid the penalty for every sin of every person?  All that remains is for the sinner to accept the gift of forgiveness.

·       Then, we see that the woman had done just that - personally received forgiveness of sins.  When Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven,” he was not giving her forgiveness at that moment.  He was stating an already established fact.  How did he know she had accepted his forgiveness?  He gives the answer himself: “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much.”  In other words, “I can say with confidence that she has received forgiveness because she loves me so much.  It’s obvious by her love!”

·       Finally, there is one other thing that would give this sinful woman the nerve to crash this respectable party.  There is room for everyone at the Table of the Lord.  She might not have felt welcome in the home of that Pharisee, but Jesus – by his presence – sanctified that table and made it a welcoming, forgiving place.  A prostitute can come and find forgiveness.  A smug, self-righteous Pharisee can also come and find forgiveness. 

Do you love much?  You’ve been forgiven much!

Prayer: "There is a name I love to hear, I love to sing its worth;  it sounds like music in my ear,  the sweetest name on earth. Oh, how I love Jesus!  Oh, how I love Jesus!  Oh, how I love Jesus!  Because he first loved me." Amen.  (Frederick Whitfield)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 136.1-9

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;

5 to him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever;

6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;

7 to him who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever;

8 the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever;

9 the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;