TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7:47
Read: Luke 7:44-48
Listen: Luke 7
TODAY’S MESSAGE
Jesus focuses on Simon as he tells the parable. But as he gives the application, he moves his gaze to the woman and offers three dramatic “you/she” contrasts. By contrasting Simon’s lack of hospitality with the woman’s loving response, Jesus drills down to a much more significant spiritual issue.
The truth was that both the woman and Simon were a mess spiritually. The difference was that the woman knew it and Simon didn’t. She knew she was sick and needed help. Simon thought he was fine. Watch this video clip as Pastor Jeff Manion describes it as “the difference between “Big Forgiveness/Big Love” and “Little Forgiveness/Little Love.” If we don’t believe we are all that bad or don’t think we have the possibility of being that bad, we can be very hard on those around us. Only when deeply convinced of our sin and our propensity to sin can we allow mercy to prevail.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Determine if you identify more with the woman or with Simon. It’s the difference between “Big Forgiveness/Big Love” and “Little Forgiveness/Little Love.” The first identifies with the woman, the latter with Simon. Both responses require confession. “Father, I recognize the depths of my sin, and I am sorry. I also know what I am capable of doing but have not done. Forgive my debts as I also forgive my debtors. Thank you for your grace and mercy.”
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
