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 7:40-43 WEB.One day Jesus was invited to dine at the home of Simon the Pharisee. As was customary for the time, they reclined around the table on low couches. Jesus lay on His stomach with His head near the table and His feet pointing away from it.
A former prostitute crept into the house and stood over Jesus' feet as they ate. She was drawn to Him. As she stood there, she came under conviction and began to weep. Her tears rained down on the feet of Jesus. She was embarrassed, so she let down her hair, which women never did in public, and wiped her tears from His feet with her hair. After this, she kissed His feet and anointed them with very expensive perfume, which women cherished.
Simon the Pharisee became disgusted at this. He was offended over this woman being in his house, and she certainly wasn't welcome at his table. Simon thought to himself that if Jesus was really a prophet, He would have known who this woman was touching Him and pushed her away. Yet, Jesus knew precisely who it was.
Jesus then told a parable about two men who were in debt. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. A denarius was a day's wage at the time for common labor like fruit picking. So one of them owed about a year and a half in wages. When the men couldn't repay their debt, the lender forgave them both and cleared their slate.
Jesus then asked Simon the Pharisee 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 list of religious rules and traditions. While the woman knew without a shadow of a doubt that she was a sinner and regretted it. Simon saw the woman for who she used to be. While Jesus saw the woman who was standing there now.
Simon couldn't see beyond her past. While Jesus forgave her of 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? And could we still do that?
It doesn't matter who you used to be, for 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 more righteous about their own mistakes.
Jesus sees who you are now. So lift up your head and know that God loves you no matter what you have done in the past. You are always welcome at His table.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please let me see those around me through Your eyes. Help me see the good in people and love them as You love them. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!Note: For those following the Creation Photography weekly challenges, here is this week's theme from group leader, Dianna Wyles: 2 Corinthians 3:18 "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." ~ 'Reflecting the Father's Love' will be our next fun theme. I realize we just had a very similar theme only a few weeks ago, but after prayer and praise, it just felt right to repeat and I do love reflection photos (so there's that too). Our themes are always open for creative interpretation and we encourage you to post anything else that inspires you as well. Show us some really cool reflection shots or how you see God's love reflected around you! Could be in the beauty of a flower or the laughter of a child, maybe it's in the neighbor that helped you out last week. You decide how creative you want to get! Do have a safe and wonderful week everyone ~ God bless! Here is the link:
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Yes Lord Jesus, amen.
Amen
SO MANY TIMES IN MY LIFE THE LORD HAS BEEN SO MERCIFUL TO ME. HIS LOVE AND MERCY, GRACE HAVE GOTTEN ME THROUGH LOTSA STUFF. SINCE I WAS LITTLE MY TRUST WAS IN THE LORD JESUS. I WAS 7 OR 8 WHEN I LOST MY SMALL EMERALD RING,IN THE MIDDLE OF A HUGH FIELD. JESUS SAID TO ME, SQUAT DOWN, THERE IT WAS,JESUS FOUND MY RING. MANY TIMES IN LIFE WE LOVE PEOPLE AND FORGIVE,AND FORGET WHATEVER...JESUS, ALWAYS FORGIVES US AND FORGETS ...HE'LL ALWAYS FIND YOU NO MATTER HOW BAD OR LOST YOU'VE BEEN OR ARE. HE LOVES YOU AS A INDIVIDUAL A PERSON THAT HE'S ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH.
XO
SHARON
Amen.
Amen,
Amen!
Amen Good Morning Everyone
Heavenly Father, please let me see those around me through Your eyes. Help me see the good in people and love them as You love them. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Amen
Thank you Jesus, Amen
Dear Jesus, you are so kind, loving, compassionate, and forgiving. Thank you for the love and patience you show to me a sinner and thank you for the sacrifice you made on the cross in order that I may live with you and Our Heavenly Father in eternity! In Your most precious ame I pray, Amen!
Ame. Yes Lord.. Help me walk-in 1 Cor. 13 love.
Amen!
Yes Lord Jesus, Amen!
God help us all be kinder to each other. Amen
Thank you Lord for your unending love...Lord please let Your heart beat be the beat of my heart ❤???? Let me love my neighbors as I love myself and as you love us... You are worthy of all Praises forever.
Amen
Yes Lord, amen!
Amen!