Monday, October 25, 2010

The Greatness of Grace

This Sunday, Lord willing, we will explore Jesus’ encounter with someone Luke describes as “a woman…who was a sinner.” The story that transpires in Luke 7:36-50 vividly depicts the graciousness of a loving Savior who receives all who come to Him.

I'm excited about preaching on this text because it serves as a nice balance to what we've been discussing in previous weeks.  We've talked a lot about repentance and the essential part in plays in the life of the believer.  But as we discuss repentance, we need to consider the attributes of the One whom we are seeking forgiveness from.
God’s forgiveness is not granted reluctantly. It is bestowed with eagerness as He proclaims the greatness of His name. I would encourage you to be meditating on this Scripture in preparation for Sunday. Consider how you can grow in your love for Christ as you grow in your realization of your own sin.

Luke 7:36-50 (ESV) 36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then 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 from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

1 comment:

Teresa said...

That has always been one of my favorite stories in the bible. I used to sign off in letters and emails "By Grace Alone" but it didn't seem that anyone ever got it so I got away from that. But this story is what started my signing off this way. By Grace Alone through Faith because what other way would God accept me into his Kingdom...such a sinner as I?

Hey...thanks for blogging...it was nice to read something new on one of the family blogs. 8-)