God of Love
Opening Prayer
Savior, thank You for loving me so radically and for paying the debt I owe.
Read Luke 7:36-50
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[36] When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. [37] A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. [38] As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. [39] When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is-that she is a sinner.” [40] Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. [41] “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” [43] Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. [44] Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. [45] You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. [46] You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. [47] Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” [48] Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [49] The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” [50] Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What story did Jesus tell and for what purpose?Take two people: a respectable and influential religious leader who invites Jesus for a meal (36), and an unnamed, emotional woman–possibly a prostitute–who is extravagant and embarrassingly demonstrative of her feelings for Jesus (38). These two people were at the opposite ends of the social spectrum. Luke specializes in highlighting how Jesus turns social convention upside down. Jesus praises the one everyone else despised (45-47). With whom do you identify? Simon is interested in Jesus, but he doesn’t show him common courtesy. Does he think he is good enough to be Jesus’ equal? Jesus highlights the sharp contrast between the two characters and commends the woman, not self-righteous Simon. In this vividly recorded scene, how would you respond? With embarrassment, curiosity or lavish love? Once again Jesus shows he is a man of compassion but also God and Savior, able to set people free from guilt and shame. Let’s respond to him with grateful hearts.
Apply
Reflect on how God has shown his love for you–and respond to that love.
Closing prayer
Beloved Jesus, thank You for pouring out so lavishly to save me. I pour out my heart and life to You.
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