Unforgiveness is a cancer. Methodically destroying our souls. Mocking the torture Jesus endured so we could be forgiven.
OUR SIN pounded nails into His hands. Hands that lovingly reached out to heal and comfort the lost, the forgotten, the hurting.
OUR SIN whipped His body with a cat o’ nine tails. Tearing skin and muscle from the bones of the Savior who had been sent to earth to redeem us from the pit of hell.
OUR SIN shoved the crown of thorns down into the skull of the One whose thoughts of us have always been ones of love.
OUR SIN so pulverized His face. His mother Mary did not recognize Him.
OUR SIN slowly sucked the breath from His lungs. Yet He used precious air to plead. “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do.”
Jesus died alone and separated from His heavenly Father’s presence so that none of us ever have to ask. “My God! My God! Why have You forsaken Me?”
Something the woman with the alabaster jar did not have to ask.
A Pharisee asked Jesus to have dinner with him. So Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat.
When a certain immoral woman from that city heard He was eating there. She brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind Him at His feet.
Weeping. Her tears fell on His feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing His feet and putting perfume on them.
When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this. He said to himself. “If this man were a prophet. He would know what kind of woman is touching Him. She’s a sinner!”
Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” He said to the Pharisee. “I have something to say to you.”
“Go ahead Teacher,” Simon replied.
Then Jesus told him this story.
“A man loaned money to two people— 500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him. So he kindly forgave them both. Canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”
Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”
“That’s right,” Jesus said.
Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home. You didn’t offer Me water to wash the dust from My feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
You didn’t greet Me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in she has not stopped kissing My feet.
You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint My head, but she has anointed My feet with rare perfume.
I tell you her sins, and they are many have been forgiven. So she has shown Me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
Then Jesus said to the woman. “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:36-48
Forgiveness is extravagant love. Sending up to heaven a sweet smelling perfume of gratitude. Gratefulness for the forgiveness we have received from others and from our heavenly Father.
Although forgiveness is not always easy. I believe when we forgive. We are most like Christ.
BEAUTIFUL!
Be a VOICE shouting into the wilderness!
“CHRIST is returning!”
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