Jesus asks the question concerning to the two debtors. Now which of them, Simon, will love him more?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.”
1. The debt of sin is great – it is a debt no one can pay. That’s precisely the point Jesus makes in our text. The debt of sin we could never repay. The weight is too much for us to bear. The burden is too heavy. The guilt is overwhelming.
Do you agree with such sentiment? The response of many in our world today is that sinfulness guilt and remorse are way overblown. We are living in what many refer to a world where we are not actually lacking in morals, rather we living in a world where morals are simply ignored. Thus the guilt and burden of sin is never felt the voice of a trouble conscience is never heard, the feelings of regret and shame are never experienced. We are called to contemplate the enormity of our sin, the extent of our guilt, the vastness of our sin.
Transition: The burden and guilt of sin is great. In mercy our Father has forgiven our sins and He remembers them no more…
2. In mercy our heavenly Father canceled the debt. – We respond in faith – Jesus tells the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” What a relief, what a blessing to know that our sin, though they are many, have been redeemed. What a blessing to know that Christ Jesus has paid for every single sin. What a joy to know that we do not have to carry about the weight of our sin.
What a pleasure it is to carry our burdens and our cares to the throne room of grace and know that each and every stain of sin has been wiped clean. What we were unable to accomplish the Father has made possible by the death and resurrection of His own dear Son Jesus Christ. In Him all sin is purchased and forgiven.
Transition: Our sins, as great as they are, have been forgiven. How do we respond to all this?
3. What is your reaction to all this? It should not be like the other guests, who began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Those sitting at the house were insulted that Jesus would forgive sins. This should not surprise us. Just a few chapters before this incident Luke reminds us of the reaction of the Scribes and Pharisees when Jesus healed and forgave the paralyzed man. “At once the Scribes and Pharisees began to say to themselves ‘Who is this fellow who says things like this that are insulting to God? Is there anyone but God who can forgive sins?” [Luke 5:21] Do you see what they are drawing at? Only God can forgive sins. Yet, here is Jesus absolving and pardoning this woman. They will have none of it! They reject Jesus’ claim to pardon, cleans and release people from the guilt of their sin.
The same question these men wrestled with at the table now becomes yours. Who is this Jesus who even forgives sins? Do you believe that Jesus can forgive sin? Do you believe that Jesus can absolve you of your guilt? Will you exchange your unrighteousness for His pardon? Or will you deny His invitation? Read and react this is the challenge our text presents to you this week.
We pray: Just as I am Thou wilt receiveWilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;Because Thy promise I believe,O Lamb of God, I come, I come. -TLH 388 stanza 5
Sources:
The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
NEW TESTAMENT in Everyday American English by Julian G. Anderson © 1984 Anderson Books Naples, FL
1. The debt of sin is great – it is a debt no one can pay. That’s precisely the point Jesus makes in our text. The debt of sin we could never repay. The weight is too much for us to bear. The burden is too heavy. The guilt is overwhelming.
Do you agree with such sentiment? The response of many in our world today is that sinfulness guilt and remorse are way overblown. We are living in what many refer to a world where we are not actually lacking in morals, rather we living in a world where morals are simply ignored. Thus the guilt and burden of sin is never felt the voice of a trouble conscience is never heard, the feelings of regret and shame are never experienced. We are called to contemplate the enormity of our sin, the extent of our guilt, the vastness of our sin.
Transition: The burden and guilt of sin is great. In mercy our Father has forgiven our sins and He remembers them no more…
2. In mercy our heavenly Father canceled the debt. – We respond in faith – Jesus tells the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” What a relief, what a blessing to know that our sin, though they are many, have been redeemed. What a blessing to know that Christ Jesus has paid for every single sin. What a joy to know that we do not have to carry about the weight of our sin.
What a pleasure it is to carry our burdens and our cares to the throne room of grace and know that each and every stain of sin has been wiped clean. What we were unable to accomplish the Father has made possible by the death and resurrection of His own dear Son Jesus Christ. In Him all sin is purchased and forgiven.
Transition: Our sins, as great as they are, have been forgiven. How do we respond to all this?
3. What is your reaction to all this? It should not be like the other guests, who began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Those sitting at the house were insulted that Jesus would forgive sins. This should not surprise us. Just a few chapters before this incident Luke reminds us of the reaction of the Scribes and Pharisees when Jesus healed and forgave the paralyzed man. “At once the Scribes and Pharisees began to say to themselves ‘Who is this fellow who says things like this that are insulting to God? Is there anyone but God who can forgive sins?” [Luke 5:21] Do you see what they are drawing at? Only God can forgive sins. Yet, here is Jesus absolving and pardoning this woman. They will have none of it! They reject Jesus’ claim to pardon, cleans and release people from the guilt of their sin.
The same question these men wrestled with at the table now becomes yours. Who is this Jesus who even forgives sins? Do you believe that Jesus can forgive sin? Do you believe that Jesus can absolve you of your guilt? Will you exchange your unrighteousness for His pardon? Or will you deny His invitation? Read and react this is the challenge our text presents to you this week.
We pray: Just as I am Thou wilt receiveWilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;Because Thy promise I believe,O Lamb of God, I come, I come. -TLH 388 stanza 5
Sources:
The Lutheran Hymnal © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO
NEW TESTAMENT in Everyday American English by Julian G. Anderson © 1984 Anderson Books Naples, FL
No comments:
Post a Comment