Read Luke 7:44-50
Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Reflect
· Have I been set free by Christ's love?
· Have I allowed God into my darkest places?
· Have I allowed myself to experience the incredible liberation that comes with God's forgiveness and love?
In order to be forgiven, we have to let the forgiver in. Asking someone for forgiveness requires that we open ourselves up entirely, not only admitting our wrongdoing but also admitting our vulnerability, fear, and insecurities--our inner-most self, including all of our hang-ups, neuroses, and sins. Jesus knows how difficult this is. Just as He knew what a risk the prostitute took in approaching him in humility and love to anoint His feet, He knows that when we truly ask for forgiveness we are opening ourselves up to a place of vulnerability and risk. Only those who are humble enough to recognize the depth of their sin--like the prostitute in this story--can appreciate the complete forgiveness God offers.
Sometimes we hide our deepest sins from God, reluctant to come clean with Him and reveal our truest, most flawed selves to Him. Yet according to Luke 7:47, in doing this, we are missing the very best opportunity to understand and experience true gratitude and love. The Message translation of Luke 7:47 reads this way: "She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal." Name the sin you keep hidden even from God Himself, and embrace the first step toward being fully forgiven and fully grateful. The more honest our confession, the more grateful we are for God's overwhelming grace.
Pray
Lord, I come to You completely open and ready to ask Your forgiveness. Please forgive my sins and breathe gratitude into my heart. Amen.