The Pharisee & The Prostitute

I have a guest blogger today. Here's a hint, she is addicted to chap stick. "Great, that narrows it down." Ok, here's a better one, ten years ago I kissed her for the first time...

I have been doing a Max Lucado Bible Study the last five weeks entitled "Experiencing the Heart of Jesus". This week in particular is on "Experiencing the Love of Jesus". Today opened with a story that really hit me. Like Steve Said Sunday, it may be one of those things that means a lot to me and no one else gets it, but hopefully it will encourage you all too :) I am going to quote the story just as Max writes it (italics mine). The setting is a dinner party at Simon's House (Luke 7:36-50).

"Then Jesus told him (Simon the Pharisee) this story: "A man loaned money to two people - 500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. 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?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt." "That's right," Jesus said. 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. You didn't give me a kiss of greeting, but she has kissed my feet again and again from the time I first came in. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 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." (Luke 7:40-47 NLT)

What does this woman understand that Simon doesn't. For she is a prostitute and he is a religious leader. If anything, Simon should show Jesus much love and she should be ashamed in His presence. However, she has experienced, received, and treasured God's love for her.

Do you have a hard time loving others, especially the "unlovely and unlovable"? "Could it be that the secret to loving is receiving? You give love by first receiving it" (1 John 4:19). To be more loving, we first must realize and accept our place as a Dearly LOVED child, a child of the King!