Today's Passage - Luke 7:44-50

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Luke 7:44-50   "Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, 'Do you see this woman?  I came into your house.  You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.  You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.  Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much.  But he who has been forgiven little loves little.'  Then Jesus said to her, 'Your sins are forgiven.'  The other guests began to say among themselves, 'Who is this who even forgives sins?'  Jesus said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'"   The more a person is in debt, and more grace is needed to forgive his debt.  We often feel that those who committed big sins need the gospel more, and those who only sinned a little can be easily excused and they don't need much of Lord's grace.  The reality is that there's no big or small sinner before God.  We all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.  We are all doomed to receive God's punishment, so we all need the grace of God to manifest in our lives.  One who is humble will receive more of God's grace, because he is willing to open his heart to accept God's salvation and forgiveness.  On the contrary, one who is proud and self-righteous cannot receive God's grace, because his conceited righteousness has filled himself.   In this passage, Jesus visited Simon's house, but Simon was not behaving like a good host.  The woman, however, was so humble that she wouldn't dare kissing and anointing the head of Jesus, but she only dared to wash, kiss and then wipe His feet.  Because she was humble, she received utmost grace.  Jesus told the women, "your sins are forgiven."  Such word immediately aroused much controversy - how could Jesus forgive sins?  Jesus is our savior, so not only can He heal, He can also forgive sins and free us from all trespasses.  Jesus, however, never told Simon "your sins are forgiven," because Simon didn't think he needed forgiveness and grace, therefore his sins were not forgiven.  These are in sharp contrast!  Simon believed that only the woman was the sinful one, but before God those who acknowledge they are sinners are the ones who are forgiven.  Those who are regarded as righteous and also self-righteous will not be forgiven of their sins before God.   We need to come before God humbly, acknowledge that there is no goodness in us and we need God's salvation.  When we open our hearts before God, the grace of God will come to us, and He will help us to become those who are truly filled with grace and mercy.                Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, I thank you and I ask that your grace and mercy will fill us.  Let us receive your salvation with a humble heart, and also let your grace and mercy flow through us.  Bless us so that we may bless every life that we touch.  I thank and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!