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2/21 Reading Portions: Exodus 4; Luke 7; Job 21; 1 Corinthians 8
Luke 7:47
“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven— for she loved much.”
FORGIVEN
The woman, a sinner known to Simon the Pharisee, washed the feet of the Lord Jesus with her own tears and dried them with her own hair (Luke 7:38). She also anointed the Lord’s feet with costly ointment (Luke 7:37) and could not stop kissing Christ’s feet (Luke 7:45). Because of the great revelation of her pardon from Christ for her obvious, offensive sins against God, she openly demonstrated her godly sorrow which worked repentance unto salvation (2 Cor 7:10); and that repentance without regret flooded her soul with tears of love and joy for the Lord who saved her and forgave her.
Simon, on the other hand, saw his transgressions as something far less than the heinous sins and offenses he committed against an infinitely holy God. After all, he thought, he was a Pharisee. In his mind, his righteous deeds and religious observances must be worth something. Simon was likewise as forgiven as the woman (Luke 7:421-42); yet he robbed himself of the joy of salvation because he failed to see the holiness of Christ and the depravity of his own sinful nature.
I’ve been blessed to experience a great many things in the few years I have sojourned upon the planet. I’ve seen dusks and dawns in painted deserts and tropical islands displaying colors no artist could interpret, and no photographer could capture. I’ve walked beaches with sand so fine it was like walking on silk. I dove in water so clear you could see for more than 300 feet vertically and more than 100 feet horizontally. Yet none of that can compare with the love and forgiveness of the Lord Jesus Christ or the unspeakable joy of His eternal presence. I’m a wretched sinner; but Christ, He is the great and gracious Savior.
When God’s love smiles upon the child
As gospel truth entreats,
We will enjoy, with tears employ
Thanksgiving at our Savior’s feet.