Daily Devotional for Sunday, January 25

Jesus Rebuked a Pharisee

“And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head,” Luke 7:44.

Jesus was an invited guest in Simon’s home. Yet, Jesus received none of the normal reception traditions as a guest. Instead of giving the normal greeting traditions, Simon questioned within himself about Jesus and the woman who came in a gave these greetings out of love and appreciation for what Jesus had done for her.

            Jesus broke the silence—probably a terribly awkward silence—by saying that He had something to say, and to say personally to Simon. “When all the philosophers are dumb, and cannot give one word of help or comfort; when learning has no message to inspire or to console the heart; when sympathy hesitates to break the silence…the Lord has something to say.” (Morrison)

            Jesus proceeded to tell a parable of a creditor who had two debtors who owed two different amounts of money. The debtors were unable to pay their debts os the creditor forgave them both. Jesus asked Simon a questions, “Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?” (verse 42).

            Jesus told Simon that he answered correctly. Jesus then reminded Simon what he had not done for his invited guest, whereas the woman provided all those things because of her appreciation for Jesus.

            Simon learned a valuable lesson from Jesus’ parable of the two debtors. This woman had done so much to show her love to Jesus because of His forgiveness of her sins, while Simon disregarded the most basic hospitable etiquettes of the day. Jesus knew Simon’s self-righteous heart as well as the sinning woman’s heart of love for God.

REFLECTION

How thankful are you for your salvation?

Chris Floyd