Knowing Our Own Need

In Luke 7:36-50, the story of Jesus being anointed by the sinful woman is unpacked. I love the scene that my mind’s eye imagines, as the Pharisee, who has invited Jesus to dinner, likely to show Him how “great” he was, was quite put out when this immoral woman showed up and began hanging out at the feet of Jesus. It even went so far as to record what Simon (the Pharisee) said to himself, “If this Man were a prophet, He would know what kind of woman is touching Him. She’s a sinner!” (Luke 7:39, NLT)

The sinful woman was fully aware of her sin. She was repentant as she knelt at the feet of Jesus and washed them with her tears and dried them with her hair. Additionally, she anointed his feet with perfume and continued to cover them with kisses.

Simon just did not get it. Jesus wanted to be sure that he did. He stopped Simon in his tracks, and told him a story of two men being forgiven their debts. One was forgiven a small debt, the other, a much larger debt. When Jesus asked Simon which man would love more, Simon was able to reply, “The one who had been forgiven more.”

It does not appear that Simon had some sort of great revelation for himself and his own need for forgiveness, but at least it seems he gained a glimpse of why the woman’s weeping and washing of Jesus’ feet with her hair was an act of worship.

This story has many points, but the two that stand out the most are that we need to recognize our own necessity to repent, and that it is not our position to determine a person’s heart when they come before the Lord. We all have a past, and those who have been forgiven much, love much. May we ever seek the Lord and His forgiveness, so that we may go forth and love as He loves.

 

There’s no “good enough”,

Artwork by Sylvia Carlton

Nor penance required;

Instead, we can come,

Presence is desired.

Jesus says draw near,

Despite where we’ve been;

He longs to forgive,

Wash away our sin.

As we choose take pause,

Truly recognize;

His mercy granted,

Great love realized.

As we’re forgiven,

Let us likewise love;

So others too know,

Hope in Christ above.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You show us such beautiful examples of forgiveness and gratitude for Your mercy and grace. Thank You that You call us to be gracious and merciful as You are full of mercy and grace toward us all. Forgive us for the times that we either viewed others as less than, or ourselves as more than we should. Teach us to see ourselves and others through Your lens – as loved and in need of a Savior. Help us to love well, all those around us, so that they may see Your heart through our mercy and grace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love without limits, and forgive as we have been forgiven. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23

Forgiven to Love

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little. – (Luke 7:47)

 

Jesus spoke these words in response to Simon, the Pharisee, as he questioned Jesus about allowing a sinful woman to remain at His feet as she washed them with her tears and dried them with her hair. In His presence, she had come to repent, and her faith was both seen and acknowledged before all who were present.

 

When we come to recognize just how much we have been forgiven, how can we help but love? The very same grace that has been given to us, begins to flow freely from us, as we embrace the height and depth and breadth of His forgiveness and grace granted to all who believe. May we go forth in love, as we have been forgiven much.

 

The sins of our past,

exposed, in full view;

how will He respond,

what will the Lord do?

As we come in faith,

with repentant hearts;

He forgives and loves,

grants each a new start.

The greater the gift,

of mercy and grace;

the stronger the drive,

to give love away.

His love is mighty,

granted without bounds;

restores the broken,

and lost become found.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we are forgiven, we are filled with Your love to overflowing. Thank You that as we recognize the fullness of Your mercy and grace, we cannot help but be compelled to love others. Forgive us for placing limits on love, and help us to love in Your strength as You lead us. Teach us to trust You more, and help us to hear You clearly, and to allow You to direct our every step. May many come to know the magnitude of Your mercy and grace, as they are shown Your love through us today. Be glorified, Lord God, as we love as You love us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

And the Lord said, “I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you.” – Exodus 33:19

May We Love Much

A sinful woman, known publicly for the lifestyle she had been living, recognized her opportunity for escape from the life she’d lived, and by faith, pressed past a multitude of laws, both written and unwritten, committing a plethora of societal faux pas, as she entered a room of men to bow at the feet of Jesus.

The beauty in the story is that this woman, washed the feet of Jesus with her tears, and dried them with her hair.  She then proceeded to kiss His feet and pour expensive perfume upon them.  At the time, His host had neglected to offer a basin to wash Jesus’ feet upon His arrival, so His sandaled feet were likely full of filth.  That being said, dirt did not deter the woman from serving the Savior with what she had.  Her tears of repentance were cleansing indeed, for when His host questioned Jesus’ allowance of this indignity, He responded, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much.  But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” – (Luke 7:47)  Jesus went on to tell the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” – (Luke 7:50)

Though we are saved by faith and not by acts, faith frequently requires action.  Often, we must move outside of what is comfortable and familiar, in order to fulfill that which He is calling us to do.  In order to grow and deepen our faith, movement is necessary.  If we are standing still, remaining stagnant – the world keeps moving forward, so it actually ends up being as if we were walking backward.  I want a faith that is growing and thriving, not just merely surviving.  When I invest my time, energy, talents, trust and entire life in Him and His purposes, I cannot help but grow.  The more I give Him room, the more space He has to utilize my life.

Stained by our sin,

each and every heart;

by faith, set free,

we’re granted fresh start.

Cleansed by the cross,

on Calvary’s hill;

He paid the price,

for our freedom fill.

By faith, receive,

that which is given;

mercy and grace,

love to start living.

Look at the scars,

for they bore our own;

embrace His life,

and truth shall be known.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You willingly forgive all that we ask, when we ask by faith, believing that You are who You say You are, and that You will do, all that You have promised.  Forgive us for thinking that our sins are too great, or for neglecting to love, in places where we should have moved forward in faith.  Help us to hear You clearly, and to act on all that You ask.  May we be ever moving forward in faith – learning and growing in Your love and grace.  May our lives be a light to all who have yet to see the reality of Who You are, and may many come to know Your saving grace in this season.  Be glorified in all that we say and do, and may we love much.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Setting Down Our Stones

photo by The Torch

“When they kept on questioning Him, He straightened up and said to them, ‘If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” – John 8:7

When the Pharisees and the teachers of the law caught a woman in adultery, they brought her to the temple courts before Jesus and those gathered to hear Him teach.  The teachers of the law and the Pharisees said to stone her, but asked Jesus what ought to be done.  Jesus, who was in the business of teaching mercy, grace, and repentance, asked that anyone who was without a single sin, to go ahead and sling the first stone.  Each man, one at a time, recognized that they were not without sin, and likely walked away a bit deflated from their previous position of pseudo piety.  When all had left and only Jesus and the woman remained, though Jesus was without sin, He touched not a stone, but rather restored her hope.  He called her to leave her life of sin, and extended His magnificent mercy that makes a new life possible.

This account of the Pharisees, the sinful woman, and the Savior, supply us with two terrific take-aways.

First, not one of us is sinless and meant to sling stones or slander at sinners. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23

Second, when we sin, He is ready to extend His mercy and grace, granting us opportunity to turn from our folly and return to right relationship with our Redeemer, when we come before Him confessing our sins and recognize our desperate need for His deity in our lives.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that though we are all sinners, You came to save us and supply second chances.  Teach us to treat others with the same mercy and grace that we have been given.  Grant us the wisdom to walk alongside, to speak only what You ask us to say, and model a life of humility and submission unto You.  Lead us Lord, that we might love like You, and in turn, confess our sins, encouraging others to do the same, so that we all will seek Your face, and understand Your glorious grace.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present