The Many

Lk. 7:41-42

 "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

Jesus posed a simple question. Who will love Him more? After even a brief reading of these verses, the automatic answer is the one whose debt was larger. The Pharisee answered correctly, but he could not apply this principle to his own life. Jesus explained further. Simon, the Pharisee, agreed that he had not given Jesus water to wash His feet, but the woman [of the city] had wet His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Again he had not given Jesus a kiss, but the woman had not ceased to kiss His feet. And again, he had not anointed His head with oil, yet this woman anointed His feet with precious ointment. 

Jesus' next statement was a shocker and caused the those who were at the table to question who He was. Jesus said, Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace." I know this caused dissension and indignation, but I wonder if any of Simon's friends seated at the table understood what Jesus was saying. Did any of them admit their need for a Savior?

These statements are so true! It is the person whose life is belly-up that sees a need for a Savior, but the person who is good [by the world's standards] sees no need at all. They think they are A-ok. In fact many times they look condescendingly on those who have a need for Jesus or who have already accepted Him as a Savior. Yes, Jesus is the answer for the needs of mankind. It is not in charitable giving, amassing a great wealth and helping others off the top, or even in traveling the globe to preserve the planet. Without Jesus whatever is accomplished is doomed to be short-lived. 

Father,

Thank You for granting me to see my need and allowing me come to you for what I need. I praise Your name for Your great salvation and your daily and continual love for me.

In Him,

Amen