Luke 7:36 -50
Jesus, the Friend of Sinners
A prayer for deliverance from sin: We
implore You, O Lord, in Your kindness to show us Your great mercy that we may
be set free from our sins and rescued from the punishments that we rightfully
deserve; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.[2]
Jesus’ enemies accused Him of being a friend of tax
collectors and sinners. Yes, He was. And Yes! He is! – “Simon! Look at this
woman…” says Jesus. “I came into your house water upon my feet you did not
give. By her tears, she washed my feet. With her hair, she wiped them. A kiss
you did not give. Upon my entry, she did not stop kissing them.”
Jesus is the honored guest and Simon didn't have the common
decency to treat him as such. Why? Simon cannot even give insincere
hospitality. He did not recognize Jesus as the Christ. Simon was scandalized!
That Jesus would allow this. But Jesus teaches that forgiveness is for sinners.
Not for the self-righteous. This woman. Sorry for her sin. Was forgiven by
Jesus. When we repent of our sins—which are many—we, too, are forgiven. Glory be to Jesus. He is a friend of sinners.
Like you!
1. The debt is great – These two debtors. Both had the
obligation to pay. The liability what huge. One owed 500 denarii - a price of a
house. The other owed 50 –The price of a
car. But not having it to pay the money-lender offers grace. 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.”
The sinner must constantly confess, “I am a sinner.” The
alcoholic, must constantly confess his condition daily until Jesus returns. And
declares it no more. That’s precisely
the point Jesus makes. 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. So He
cancels the debt. He stops it. He revokes. Rescinds. And repeals the debt. And
declares it to be no more.
The burden and guilt
of sin is great. In mercy, your Father has forgiven your sin and He remembers
them no more…
2. In mercy, your heavenly Father canceled the
debt. – Jesus
doesn't talk about faith He delivers faith. Jesus tells the woman, “Your faith
has saved you; go in peace.” We can literally say, “Your Jesus has saved you.
Go in peace.” Faith always looks to its
object.
NOTE: When using the word "faith" follow up with,
"what God in Christ has given you."
We do not place faith in our faith. We trust in Christ and Him
alone.
Jesus’ words always do what they say. When He says, “your
sins are forgiven,” they are! What a
relief. What a blessing. To know that your sin, though they are many, have been
removed. As far as the east is from the west. And He remembers your sin no
more! What a blessing. To know that Christ Jesus has paid for every single
transgression. What a joy to know that we do not have to carry about the weight
of sin.
What a pleasure it is to carry our burdens and our cares to
the throne room of grace and know that 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 period!
Our sin, as great as they are, have been forgiven. How do you
respond to all this?
3. What is your
reaction to all this?
Not 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. 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 infer?
Only God can forgive sins. 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 guests 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 fault for His
pardon? Or, will you deny His
invitation? Read and react. Reflect and
respond. This is the challenge presented to you this week.
[1] Woodcut
by Baron Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld, 1794-1872, a distinguished German
artist known especially for his book, Das Buch der Bücher in Bilden [The Book
of Books in Pictures]) ©WELS.
[2]
Collect for deliverance from sin, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia
Publishing House, St. Louis
No comments:
Post a Comment