I Am Forgiven
.
Luke 7:36-50
36. One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house, and took his place at table. 37. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38. and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." 40. And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "What is it, Teacher?" 41. "A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42. When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43. Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44. Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48. And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49. Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50. And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
My understanding is that often the wealthy would sit at table located in a courtyard of their homes to allow more room for guests. The poor, and perhaps the curious, would stand around the periphery of the dinner party and watch--perhaps waiting for a handout, or sometimes listening for local gossip, or word of government activities in the areas. So it was not unusual for there to be bystanders during this meal. It was extremely unusual for one to approach an invited guest--unheard of!
I have often struggled with this concept of forgiveness--how does one forgive Saddam Hussein? or a sex offender who harms a child? or anyone else who commits such horrendous offenses against society and individuals? I had made a comment at a meeting one night that “some people are beyond deserving mercy.” And boy, did one of my spiritual mentors, who happened to be leading the meeting, jump on that! He was so loving, but made it clear that I had been inappropriate. And I guess this scripture bears that out! Of course I didn’t mean it--not really--but I sort of did! I think that’s human nature.
But Jesus expected more. He gave more and offers us more. How dare I judge another?! Who am I to say my sins are not as “bad” as someone else’s? Jesus made it clear that he has enough love to forgive the worse of the worse. After all, isn’t sin, well . . . sin. All sin is wrong and offensive and hurtful to God. So how do I know that my sin -- being a fairly well-informed and committed Christian -- is not more offensive to God than one committed by a mentally ill child molester? Or a mass murderer who has gone mad? It may well be. In this case, ignorance is not bliss, is it? Applied to that scenario: I am woefully in need of God’s forgiveness!
I have been feeling a call to serve in jail or prison ministry. I don’t know why -- it’s not really anything I had thought of until recently. But this morning I’m wondering if God has in mind for me to explore more deeply the concept of forgiveness. I still have much for which to forgive myself, and perhaps this would be a way to learn forgiveness on a deep level--for myself, but also of others in the world. God’s people are in need of knowing they are already forgiven.
I hope today you will look within yourself for any places of un-forgiveness in your life. And that you will call upon Jesus, the source of all healing and wholeness to fill you with his peace.
Mary
