JESUS SPEAKING
Upon arriving at a Pharisees house for dinner, Jesus was treated quite poorly. No one greeted Him with a kiss or anointed His head with oil. Nor did they provide Him with any water to wash his feet (all common forms of ancient Jewish hospitality.) And yet, as they reclined at the table, a sinful woman wept near Him. She kissed His feet and washed them with her tears. She also anointed them with expensive fragrant oil. We read, “Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” (Luke 7: 39 – 43)
FAITHFUL THOUGHTS
Those who understand the depths of their own depravity are also the most desperate for God’s forgiveness. And thus, many of the worst sinners are drawn to the Gospel because it contains the promise of a new life. By means of faith, through repentance and salvation, anyone can be reborn and become a new creation; disconnected from the sinful lives that once enslaved them. Genuine believers who comprehend the value of this forgiveness will inherently display an affection for God and all those He loves.
One of the worst sinners recorded in the New Testament was a man named Saul; a Jew who relentlessly persecuted and attempted to destroy the early Christian Church. One day however, while traveling along the road to Damascus, Jesus appeared to him and said, “Sual, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” After this miraculous encounter, Saul repented and became a Christian. In recognition of his rebirth he changed his name from Saul to Paul, and became one of the greatest proponents of the gospel who has ever lived. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 1: 15, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” Paul’s recognition of the value of his own forgiveness enabled him to show a supernatural affection for God and others.
Like Paul, many of us were once enemies of God. We were engaged in the practice of sinful things, and showed little love for the Lord, or those He has created. But now we have been reborn; we no longer walk in the sins of our flesh, but instead proclaim the good news of the Gospel. And this is the gospel, that anyone, no matter how sinful can have a new life in Christ Jesus. They can become a new creation. May we never stop spreading God’s message of salvation to those who desperately need to hear it.
“Lord Heavenly Father, we praise You for Your wisdom, Your glory, and Your grace. Use us Lord to reach out to even the worst sinners, knowing that many of them are desperate to hear the message of repentance and rebirth. As we continue our Christian mission, may we encounter many who need to hear the gospel. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!
