Luke 7:18-50; Genesis 11; Psalm 5

Simon decided it was time to help make Jesus respectable. John had gone off track, maybe he could get Jesus to work with the Pharisees. Maybe that was the motivation, we don’t really know. Whatever the motivation, Jesus had gone to Simon’s house to eat and then, that woman came in. Not only did she distract from the time together, she was a sinner and there she was making a big to-do over Jesus at his feet. When she anointed His feet, Simon wondered why Jesus didn’t deal with that sinner. He was just about to say something when Jesus interrupted his reverie: “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon had no problem answering the question and Jesus agreed. Then the scandal began. Jesus not only talked about forgiving her sins, He also talked as if Simon needed forgiveness. Simon was religiously correct. He didn’t need any forgiveness! Our relationship with God depends on which side of the table we sit on, so to speak. Do we come before God in our own righteousness imagining that God is lucky to have us on His side, or do we come before God recognizing our own sin seeking His forgiveness? Reconciliation happens when we recognize our need for God to forgive us.

Dear God – too often I have the attitude of Simon and think that I am righteous because of my behavior. Remind me that I need your forgiveness and grace every day. Give me the strength to share that grace with others.