Luke Part 1 Week 31

Day 1 

RECEIVE 

Luke 7:41-43 

⁴¹ 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. ⁴² 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?” ⁴³ Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said. 

The Pharisee thought Jesus did not know who the immoral woman was who was lavishing worship on Him. Jesus told him this story then He asked the Pharisee a question at the end. Simon, the Pharisee, admitted that the one who was forgiven the most would have more love for the one who forgave the larger debt.  

REFLECT 

Think about this with your life. Are you grateful to Jesus for all He has forgiven you when He died on the cross in your place? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about being able to forgive others because you realize how much Jesus has forgiven you. Read Ephesians 4:31-32 about this kind of forgiveness. 

Day 2 

RECEIVE 

Luke 7:44-46 

⁴⁴ 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. ⁴⁵ You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶ You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.” 

Simon the Pharisee had not done all the customary things a good host should have done for Jesus. The contrast of Simon’s lack of courtesy and the worship of this immoral woman could not have been greater. Typical of a Pharisee, Simon was self-righteous and did not think he needed forgiveness. 

REFLECT 

Have you ever thought of how you compare with those who have been forgiven a more evident sinful lifestyle? Everyone has the same sin nature, but some sins are more evident than others. 

RESPOND 

Visit with a friend about the reason every person needs to trust in Jesus as Savior. Romans 5:12 reveals every person has inherited a sin nature. John 3:18 tells that all who reject Jesus will be condemned. 

Day 3 

RECEIVE 

Luke 7:47-48 

⁴⁷ “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.” ⁴⁸ Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” 

Jesus did not overlook any of the sins the woman had, but He forgave her of all of them. Her act of love and worship revealed her need of a Savior and devotion to Him. Jesus did not forgive just some of her sins, He forgave all of them. 

REFLECT 

Think how wonderful it was for this woman to have all of her sins forgiven. That can be true for anyone who trusts in Jesus as Savior. 

RESPOND 

Consider the privilege every Christ-follower has of being forgiven of all sins and placed in a heavenly position. Read Ephesians 2:4-7. Share this passage with a friend and rejoice in it.  

Day 4 

RECEIVE 

Luke 7:49 

⁴⁹ The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?”  

This was at the heart of the controversy about Jesus. People believed that only God could forgive sins, but Jesus claimed He could do that. Their problem was they did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah and God Himself. He was fully man and fully God at the same time. 

REFLECT 

Do you have full confidence that Jesus was both fully God and fully man when He was on earth? 

RESPOND 

Join with a friend in reading Philippians 2:5-11. This passage reveals that Jesus was God but gave up His divine privileges as God to take on human form. He had to be fully man to die for peoples’ sins, and He had to be fully God for that penalty to be effective for all mankind. 

Day 5 

RECEIVE 

Luke 7:50 

⁵⁰ And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” 

Take note of this statement. Do not misunderstand, faith by itself cannot save. The woman had faith in Jesus. It is the object of one’s faith that saves. Before this time she likely had little peace, but now Jesus told her, “ . . . go in peace.” One who has peace cannot understand and appreciate how desperate those are who do not have it. 

REFLECT 

Do you have peace after trusting in Jesus as Savior? You are assured of forgiveness of sin and of eternal life. 

RESPOND 

Ask a friend to join you in reading Romans 5:1-11 to read about the peace that belongs to every follower of Christ.