City Life Starter

Written by Megan Meier

The Word

“Jesus, answering, said to the Pharisee, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ And he replied, ‘Teacher, say it.’ ‘A certain moneylender had two debtors: one owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they had no means of repaying [the debts], he freely forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘The one, I take it, for whom he forgave more.’ Jesus said to him, ‘You have decided correctly.’ Then turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house [but you failed to extend to Me the usual courtesies shown to a guest]; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair [demonstrating her love]. You gave Me no [welcoming] kiss, but from the moment I came in, she has not ceased to kiss My feet. You did not [even] anoint My head with [ordinary] oil, but she has anointed My feet with [costly and rare] perfume. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.’ Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Those who were reclining at the table with Him began saying among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith [in Me] has saved you; go in peace [free from the distress experienced because of sin].’”

Luke 7:40-50 (AMP)

Reflection

Simon the Pharisee was raised all his life in the Jewish faith. As his father and grandfather were likely Pharisees as well, he probably had a very straight-laced, even strict, upbringing. This mindset probably led him to believe God was a vengeful deity waiting to rain down fire and brimstone, and have a judgmental attitude to those less “righteous” than him. Also the Pharisee, like many of his brethren, were more concerned about the “correct” way of worship than the worship itself and kept his distance from Jesus. 

The woman, on the other hand, did not care what was considered proper worship, but had the true heart of a Christ-follower. We don’t know anything about the woman’s backstory or her trade (she might have been a prostitute), but we know she was repentant of her many sins, and she knew who Jesus was and was fully devoted to Him, making herself completely humble and vulnerable and presenting Him something very costly to her. Kissing feet (especially in a culture where feet were the dirtiest part of a person’s body) showed particular closeness. 

Application

It’s too easy to take Jesus and what He did for granted. Or to point fingers at others and think, “Well, at least I’m not like so-and-so” (easy to do so when watching the news or reality TV). But all of us had a debt we couldn’t pay, the amount didn’t matter. The Great Lender, by His blood, cancelled our debts. What will you do with your clean slate? Will you keep Jesus at a polite distance, or will you humble yourself and give Him what you have? As Pastor Chris said, to make a commitment is to have a true relationship. Have you committed yourself to Him? Or is there a part that you’re holding back? 

Prayer

Dear Jesus, thank You so much for cancelling my debt. Help me to know You more and be closer to You. In Your Name I pray, amen.