Unworthy

Since the love of Jesus is the very core of our spiritual life, because it is the power behind our vision: "Loved by Jesus, Loving Others," since it is the only way to true happiness in this life in the next, I wanted us to stop and drink from the well of Jesus love for a few weeks. We will look at Luke 7:36-50 this week. We will see that we do not have to be worthy to come to Jesus. In fact, we must see ourselves as unworthy to come to him. When we come to him that way, we will love him for all of his forgiveness and kindness. Everyone who sees themselves as unworthy may come and experience his love. When you come, you will never be the same because of the love you experience. Having drunk deeply of the love of Jesus will prepare us for my next 4-week teaching series beginning May 12 on "the Bible and Modern Sexuality." Please pray that God's word would flow deeply into my heart and yours.

Luke 7:36-50

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at 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[a] themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”