Friday, April 14
Simonish
Scripture: Luke 7
Luke 7:40–43 So Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” He replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
Observation
When a woman of ill repute washes Jesus’ feet with her tears, dries them with her hair and anoints them with oil, Simon the Pharisee silently protests that if Jesus were a prophet, He would know who is touching Him and would stop her.
Jesus answered him (Jesus knew what he was thinking) with this short story of a lender who forgave the debts two creditors. Which would love him more? Simon correctly answered, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.”
Jesus’ point is that when we know how much we’ve been forgiven, we’ll love the One who forgave us. The greater the debt, the greater the forgiveness, the greater the love.
Jesus is not suggesting that we sin more to love more. He is saying that the more aware we are of the magnitude of our sin, the more we’ll love. Self-righteous Simon was no better than the woman, but he thought he was. I can be Simonish!
In Matthew 18, Jesus told the parable of the king who forgave a servant 10,000 talents—a debt equivalent to 10,000 lifetimes of wages for a working man! In other words, it was an unpayable debt. That’s each one of us. That’s me.
While my sins may not be as obvious or egregious as this woman, like Simon the Pharisee I have an enormous debt of sin, just a more acceptable variety! And if I understand how broken I am and that Jesus fully forgives me, then like this woman, I will love Him extravagantly.
Application
Take a few moments today to reflect on my deep brokenness and Jesus’ deeper grace and mercy. Rejoice in free and full forgiveness and love Him with all you’ve got!
Prayer: Lord, I love You and I’m so grateful for Your mercy, grace and forgiveness. Whenever I get Simonish—proud and self-righteous—remind me about my 10,000 talent debt and grow my love!
More: Joshua 17-18, 1 Corinthians 1