"Grace for Sinners" April 6 Readings: Joshua 17-18, Luke 7:18–50, Psalm 44:1–7, Proverbs 10:15-16

Today's Readings - Joshua 17-18, Luke 7:18–50, Psalm 44:1–7, Proverbs 10:15-16

Devotional 

Perhaps the most amazing part of the story told in Luke 7:36-50 is the fact that Jesus was invited to dine in the home of a Pharisee. That kind of welcome was seldom extended to Jesus by the religious leaders. But this one invited him in and Jesus went. He dined with sinners; he dined with Pharisees. It was all the same to him.

Things got uncomfortable quickly. As they were reclining and enjoying their meal a woman came in, one who was known as a sinner. Of course, every person in that town other than Jesus was a sinner, but this woman's sins were known by all. It is probably that her sins were of the moral variety and that everyone knew about them - though that is just a guess.

The Pharisee was scandalized that such a woman would enter his home and wash Jesus' feet, anointing them with fragrant oil. But Jesus used her situation to make a point. He told a story about two men forgiven of debts. One owed 500 denarii and the other 50. Then Jesus asked a question of the Pharisee, named Simon.

So, which of them will love him more?

The obvious answer is that the one who is forgiven more will love more. Jesus forgave the woman (shocking all around by that act) and insisted that she would love him all the more because her sins were great and her forgiveness complete.

This is a simple but profound point. It is not about how good we are, but how good our God is. It is not about trying to maintain a facade of sinlessness, but about casting ourselves on the mercy of God. A good Christian is not one who never sins, but one who consistently repents and relies on God's grace for everything.

The Pharisees could not experience the love of Jesus because they thought they could gain God's favor on their own. This sinful woman found grace because she knew she needed it. You and I must draw near to God and resist sin, but we must also realize that we will often fall, and that there is unlimited mercy, grace and forgiveness in Christ. It is sinners, those who kneel before the Savior, admit their sin and repent of it, who find the forgiveness they need.

Father, I thank you for your grace. If it were not for grace, I would be undone. I admit that I have no good by which to commend myself to you. I seek your mercy, your grace and your power. 

Think and Pray

Do you ever forget that it is by grace and not by your merit that you relate to God?
Grace is never an excuse to sin, but it is a great comfort in our failure and human frailty.