August 26, 2022
Loving Through Forgiveness
My child, one of the Pharisees asked Jesus over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man was the prophet, (I thought He was), He would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over Him.” (Luke 7:36-39 Message) Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Oh? Tell me.”“Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.”(Luke 7:40-46 Message) “That’s right,” said Jesus.
Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, He said, “Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for My feet, but she rained tears on My feet and dried them with her hair. You gave Me no greeting, but from the time I arrived, she hasn’t quit kissing My feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed My feet with perfume. Impressive, isn’t it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.” Then He spoke to her: “I forgive your sins.” (Luke 7:47-48 Message) What a beautiful story of forgiveness. There are many reasons people fail to experience Jesus’ great love such as judging others and unforgiveness. Stop a moment and look at your heart. Ask yourself, do you judge others, or are you harboring unforgiveness toward someone? I encourage you to repent so you can experience the overwhelming love of God. (Mark 11:25)
Pray with me:
Father God, I repent for judging others and harboring unforgiveness in my heart. I ask You, Abba to forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness and make me white as snow as I stand in Your presence. Thank You for burying my sins in the sea of forgetfulness as far as the east is from the west and remembering them no more. I haven’t lived a perfect life. Thank you for revealing what is in my heart so I can repent. I declare I forgive, and I will not judge others recognizing in the same manner that I judge I will be judged in Jesus’ name. Thank You for allowing me to experience Your great love today and every day! Amen.
