Faith

A Seat at the Table Part Two

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Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”  Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”  And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Luke 7:44-50

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The woman went to Simon’s house because she wanted to see Jesus

She didn’t care what Simon and his friends might think. She didn’t want to miss her chance to be with Jesus. Simon had missed the opportunity of a lifetime. He had so much but he gave so little

She knew that she might never have the chance again so even though she had so little yet she gave so much!

 

She wasn’t embarrassed or in a hurry. There was nothing more important on her schedule that day. While Simon probably couldn’t wait for her worship to end, she lavished the final drops of perfume on Jesus’ feet. Inwardly Simon criticized both her and Jesus because he never saw his own need. But this very special lady knew that forgiveness and grace weren’t just ideas to understand but gifts she desperately needed to receive!

 

Yet worship is more than despair at our condition, it is the expression of faith that no matter how big our sin: God’s mercy is bigger! May her story be ours – Sinned much- Repented much-Forgiven much- Loved much!

Prayer in the Name of Jesus

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As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.  “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up. All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord Acts 9:32-35

Praying in the name J-E-S-U-S is not like using an incantation.  Using Jesus’ name is reserved for those who belong to Him and are doing His will. Peter was traveling to visit other Christians when he found Aneas. Truly believing in the name of Jesus means just going forward in the direction God is leading. Believing in Jesus means belonging to him. As in a traditional marriage there is both a change in name and in relationship. He becomes our new life!kimg1625

In the fourteenth chapter of John Jesus says that in His name we will do even greater things than He did. Considering that He walked on water, multiplied bread and raised the dead that seems unlikely and astonishing! What could be greater than the works of Jesus? But in this story because Peter did this single act, an entire city turned to God! Peter was only one disciple. What would happen if an entire church began to do the things that Jesus did? Jesus’ main ministry was to the people of Israel, but through the church God has chosen to draw people from every nation, culture and language

 

When Jesus said that if we asked anything in His name He would do it He meant for us to pray both in His will and in His way. Whenever we are doing things “In the name of Jesus” we must have the same motives and the same heart as He. If God gave us everything we prayed for, what will people remember? Will it be how amazing we were, or how amazing the name of Jesus? Only when the name of Jesus becomes our life will God get all the glory!

Forgiveness First

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Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Matthew 18:21

In answer to his question, Jesus told  a story about a king who forgave a servant. Though the servant in Jesus’ story got things all wrong let’s take a look at what he could have gotten right.

The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’  Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt  Matthew 18:26-27

Just as in our Christian lives, this man’s relationship to the king began by and was entirely based on the forgiveness of his king. Everything hinged on the king’s choice to forgive and accept. Sadly this servant tried right away to make things right by his own efforts Notice he says, “I will pay all.” How many of us determine that we will somehow make it up to God, when in fact we could never ever even in millions of years ever pay God back for all He has done for us!

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Our forgiveness is complete! The Bible tells us that the king “released him and forgave him the debt” His forgiveness was not based upon his ability to repay. Forgiveness wasn’t a business decision with terms of repayment. The debt was not only released but the king also took upon himself the responsibility to pay these debts. That is what Jesus has done. When we really understand His mercy then our hearts will change both towards God and others. When His compassion flows into us we need to allow it to flow out to those who owe us any debt!