Everyone in this world has an opinion. Whether it’s about a sports team, a restaurant dish, or even the weather, people have a point of view that invariably someone will disagree with. Since most of us tire of arguing, we tend to hang out with those who hold the same beliefs that we do.
A beautiful story is recorded in Luke 7. It is set at a meal in the house of a Pharisee named Simon. Jesus Christ was invited and had accepted the invitation. Before looking at what happened, let’s remind ourselves that Jesus and the Pharisees did not generally see eye to eye. In fact, heated words were often exchanged between them. The Pharisees tested and plotted against Jesus (Matthew 12:14; 22:15) and Jesus scolded the Pharisees about their legalistic and uncaring practises (Matthew 23:13-33). However, on the occasion in question, it was not so much what was said as what was thought.
While Jesus and Simon were eating, a woman who was known to be a sinner by everyone expressed worship to Jesus in a most wonderful way. Without words, she cleaned the feet of Jesus with her tears, wiped them with her hair and anointed his feet with expensive perfume.
Once again, without words, Simon the Pharisee thought, “if this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner” (Luke 7:39). The fact is that Jesus knew who the woman was. Speaking to Simon, Jesus said, “I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much” (Luke 7:47).
Along with Simon, the others who were present began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” (Luke 7:49). In Luke 5:21, the Pharisees and Scribes are said to have also reasoned “saying, who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
We can’t argue with the fact that scripture makes it clear that only God can really pardon sin, yet that is what Jesus did for the notorious woman in Luke 7. She expressed her extravagant worship because she was forgiven. No longer was she the one that others should look down on. She was forgiven! She didn’t need to ask the question, “who is this?”, because she had personally experienced the cleansing impact of his words of forgiveness. Was that not proof that he was God?
We know little about this woman, but we know much about Jesus Christ. Peter, a first hand observer of what took place long after said to the high priest and Sadducees, “the God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things” (Acts 5:30-32). Who better to understand the life-changing forgiveness of Christ than Peter, who had denied Jesus during his darkest days.
Who is this one who billions worship? It is Jesus Christ the Son of God, the one who forgives. I know. He forgave me! We appreciate your Comments
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