Date: 09-23-2020

Title: Forgiveness

(S) cripture:
    Luke 7:40-48 (NASB) And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.”

(O) bservation:
    Jesus said it all in this encounter with Simon. Let me recap briefly. Two debtors, one large debt and one small, both debts forgiven. Who loves the master more? The one forgiven most.
    When we see the love a person expresses for Jesus we can sometimes tell how much that person understands about forgiveness. That sense of forgiveness is then offered to others who may have offended them. It would seem to me that those who refuse to forgive others have not understood their own forgiveness. We love God because he first loved us and has forgiven us.

(A) pplication:
    Today I thank God for forgiveness. Sometimes, I confess, I think I am OK and do not need forgiveness that much, When I am proud, I am in for a “woodshed” experience with the Lord because He loves me too much to let me continue unchallenged in my sin. I want to love Jesus more and more. To do so I must be aware of my sinfulness and the great love He has for me and His forgiveness in my life.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, make me aware of my sin and your forgiveness. I want to love you more and more. Amen