Compelled by Forgiveness
Devotional
How should those who have been forgiven respond to Jesus? With love. In Luke 7, a sinful woman enters a Pharisee’s house and begins to wash Jesus’ feet. The forgiveness the woman has been granted drives her to love in such a profound way, to show her immense gratitude towards the one who has saved her life: Jesus. Does your love for Christ show that you have been forgiven of much?
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,”
LUKE 7:36-43
Questions:
- What about Jesus' ministry stands out to you from this passage?
- What obstacle(s) did this woman have to overcome to anoint Jesus?
- What character, if any, do you relate to the most in this story? Explain.
- What about the woman's love for 4 Jesus inspires or challenges you?
- "Somebody who has been forgiven much, loves much." What are your thoughts or reactions to this quote?
- Does your love for Christ show that you've been forgiven of much? Explain.
Practice The Way of Jesus:
In Romans 6:23, we learn that wages of sin is death. When God chose to forgive your sins, He incurred the debt. The good news is that Jesus paid it all for you through his death on the cross. This week, live and love as though you have been forgiven of much. Consider doing this by confessing your lack of love to God and others, asking God to give you a heart of passion for Him again, and living a lifestyle of abundant love by loving others as Christ has loved you.