Teaching and Learning:
Forgiving as God's People
Luke 7:40-47
The Message (MSG)
40Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Oh? Tell me."
41-42"Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"
43-47Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."
"That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."
"Oh? Tell me."
41-42"Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"
43-47Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."
"That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."
Forgiveness is much like canceling a debt. One who is forgiven is no longer obliged to repay the debt. The forgiver is in no position to expect further indebtedness.
The woman in this story was not obligated to show her gratitude, but in response to being forgiven she gave thanks deeply and personally. She responded with extravagant love; freely given, not out of obligation.Simon had been forgiven many times.
But living so close to Jesus, Simon took Christ's forgiveness for granted. Simon, in contrast, showed no such gratitude.
How grateful are you for the forgiving grace of God? How do you show it?
Pray
that when life is easy and you are surrounded by the forgiving grace of God, you pray deeply in thanksgiving and praise. Pray not from obligation but from gratitude. Let your life be a living prayer of gratitude.
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