HomeWord - April 23, 2015

Uninvited

This devotional was written by Mike DeVries

Then he turned to 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 – as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. —Luke 7:44-47

In today’s Scripture, we read of two people and their interaction with Jesus: one, the dinner host and the other, who was uninvited. One was called a teacher; the other called a sinner.

Two people, both with access to forgiveness and peace. One was a religious leader, the other a person with a seedy reputation.

Jesus tells a story to his host, about two people who owed debts, one much more than the other—but both were such that neither could repay—yet both are forgiven. Jesus asked his host, Simon, “Which will love him more?” What Simon does not realize is that his answer will expose that he still sees with unforgiving eyes. The issue is not that one is allowed to love less, while the other is required to love more. The issue is that there is only one response to being made whole and free and the only one who gets it is on her knees.

How will you respond? Will it leave you still living with labels and levels of grace, or will it leave you on your knees?

GOING DEEPER:

1. How are you responding to the love and generosity of Jesus? Is it making you more of a person of love and generosity or more self-righteous?

2. In what ways can your life be lived more in tune to the love of Jesus?

FURTHER READING:

Luke 7:36-50; 6:46-49; John 8:31-32