" Your Sins Are Forgiven "

Luke 7:36-50   " And one of the Pharisees desired HIM that HE would eat with him. And HE went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that JESUS sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at HIS feet behind HIM weeping, and began to wash HIS feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed HIS feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden HIM saw it, he spake within himself, saying,  'This man, if HE were a Prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth HIM:  for she is a sinner.'  And JESUS answering said unto him,  ' Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.' And he saith, 'MASTER, say on.'  

' There was a certain creditor which had two debtors:  the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?' Simon answered and said,  'I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.'  And HE said unto him,  ' Thou hast rightly judged.'  And HE turned to the woman, and said unto Simon,  ' Seest thou this woman ? I entered into thine house, thou gavest ME no water for MY feet:  but she hath washed MY feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest ME no kiss:  but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss MY feet. MY head with oil thou didst not anoint:  but this woman hath anointed MY feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven;  for she loved much:  but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.'  And HE said unto her,  ' Thy sins are forgiven.'  And they that sat at meat with HIM began to say within themselves,  'Who is this that forgiveth sins also ?'  And HE said to the woman,  ' Thy faith hath saved thee;  go in peace.' "

     Simon the Pharisee invited JESUS to his house for dinner. While the SAVIOR was reclining at the table, as was the Jewish custom, a woman who was a notorious sinner entered Simon's house bearing  "an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at HIS feet behind HIM,"  where she wept and washed HIS feet with her tears and anointed them with the ointment (vv.36-38). Simon then had second thoughts concerning JESUS:  "This man, if HE were a Prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth HIM:  for she is a sinner" (v.39). But CHRIST did know who she was, for she was the very person HE had come to save. HE knew she lived a sinful lifestyle, but no sin is too great that the LORD cannot forgive when one repents.

     JESUS then told Simon a parable concerning two men who were indebted to a creditor. Neither one could pay, and so the creditor forgave the debt of both men completely. The man who owed the most loved the creditor more than the other because of his greater debt that had been cancelled (vv.40-43). JESUS explained that this woman, who was demonstrating her love for HIM through her actions, had a debt of sin that she could never pay, just like every one of us (vv.44-46), but JESUS freely forgave her (v.47a). Then speaking directly to the woman, HE said, " Thy sins are forgiven... Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace " (vv.48, 50). The SAVIOR will say the same to you if you come to HIM with a repentant heart, for HE came  "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). But you must come to HIM by faith and receive HIS free offer of Salvation;  and when you do, HE will save and forgive you (John 1:12; 6:37; Acts 4:12). PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, Feature: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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