Jesus answered him, 'Simon, I have something to tell you.' He said, 'Teacher, say on.' A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they couldn't pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?' Simon answered, 'He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.' He said to him, 'You have judged correctly.' Luke 7:40 WEB
Jesus was invited to dine at the home of Simon the pharisee, and as was customary for the time, they reclined around the table on low couches. Jesus would have been laying on His stomach with His head near the table and His feet away from it. As they ate, a former prostitute crept into the house and stood over His feet. She began to cry, and her tears fell on the feet of Jesus. She was embarrassed, so she let her hair down (which women never did in public) and she began to wipe His feet with her hair, to dry her tears from them. After this, she kissed His feet and anointed them with very expensive perfume, which the women cherished.
Simon the Pharisee became disgusted and thought this woman should not even be in his house, and she was certainly not welcome at his table. Simon thought to himself that Jesus was no prophet or He would have known who this woman was that touched Him and stopped her.
Jesus knew who it was. He told a parable about two debtors who were forgiven of their debt, one five hundred denarii and the other fifty. A denarii was a day's wage at the time for labor, like fruit picking. He then asked Simon who would love the moneylender more. Simon answered that it was the one who owed more, and Jesus told him that he had judged rightly. In the story, the moneylender forgave them, then the people loved him.
Simon felt that he was holy and had no sin because Pharisees kept a long set of rules and traditions, while the woman knew without a doubt that she was a sinner and regretted it. Simon saw the woman for what she used to be. Jesus saw who the woman was standing there now. Simon could not see beyond her past, while Jesus forgave her past. The Pharisees were exclusive, while Jesus was inclusive. How could the religious leaders of the day see things so differently from God when looking at the same person?
It does not matter what you have done in the past; you can be forgiven today. When you come into the Lord's presence, you will only find forgiveness, acceptance, and love. Many highly religious people and satan have a lot in common. They will keep looking at your past and try to make you feel like trash so they can feel righteous about their own mistakes. Jesus sees who you are now. Lift up your head and know that God loves you no matter what you have done in the past. Today, you are welcome at His table.
Prayer: Heavenly Father let me see those around me, through Your eyes. Help me to see the good in people and to love them, as You love them. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Note: For those interested in capturing or viewing photos of God's creation, here is this week's theme message from Creation Photographers: James 1: 2-4 - "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." Our fun theme this week will be 'Motivational Moments' and is open for interpretation as always so let's get creative!! We also encourage you to post anything else that inspires you as well. May you all find that which motivates you to be the best you you can be in the Lord! AND may you ALL count it ALL as joy along your journey. God Bless! Here is the link to participate in this group: Creation Photographers group
> You can subscribe to our daily devotional here <
Tip: You must be logged into the website to leave comments.
Heaven help us all...
Wow super awesome topic thanks so much for your words of wisdom and knowledge of the Bible, I need to look inside and see if Jesus would be proud of me and if not then immediately ask for forgiveness and move on. Thanks again pastor and I pray God will bless RHM in ways you never dreamed of sincerely Scott R.
Amen Lord
Thank you God for forgiving me from my past Amen
Amen! Thank you :)
Amen Lord!
Amen!
Prayer: Heavenly Father let me see those around me, through Your eyes. Help me to see the good in people and to love them, as You love them. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen Thank you
Amen! Father, thank you for your GRACE!
Amen!
Amen!!
Thank you Jesus for loving us. Amen
Amen!
Amen
A beautiful and honest view of Jesus love and practice of faith- our goal to be more like HIM!
What a beautiful devoitional. I've been in her place. Thank you Lord Jesus for your love. Please help me to love everyone, the lost, the homeless all who need your love and forgiveness. Thank you Pastor. In my prayers.
Me too Bella. I have been in that place too and I know in my heart that I have been forgiven and love by our LORD JESUS CHRIST . WE PRAISE AND THANK YOU LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. Amen
Heavenly Father, You know I'm a sinner and I need You to forget my sins. Bless those whom are like me and lead me to show them what You have done for me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
You know for the life of me, I can't understand how a single soul on this earth cannot look around and see the Hand of God moving. Florence was predicted to be so much worse than it was.....I believe it was going to be but GOD!!! People began to seek God and His favor and I,personally with others were in agreement that it would turn around and go the opposite direction. It didn't go in the other direction, but it sure slowed down to a crawl. I believe that God did every bit of this and much more. Only God can change the course of a storm, the speed, the rains, and so forth. Yes, there are many that have lost everything, but they still have their life. I just want to Thank God for all He has done and all He's going to do. May more souls come to know Him as their Savior!!!! Also, I am very sorry for those that lost loved one's during this hurricane. I pray that you feel God's spirit with you in the coming days.
Amen!
Amen! Yes Lord, please let me see the world and all the people round about me through Your eyes, the eyes of a loving Heavenly Father and the eyes of my beautiful Savior, by the power of Thy mighty Holy Spirit, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen!