Luke 7:36-50
36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table.
37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”
40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he canceled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he canceled the larger debt.”
And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
44 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.
45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much.
But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”
50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
I love the look of the actor in Jesus of Nazareth. He looks like the Shroud of Turin. The edges of the Shroud of Turin were repaired in the 14th century but the center is far older and contains remnants of unexplained radiation. Surely we could agree the Shroud is a Wonder of God. Even Popes wait to be there when the Shroud is brought out. There is a face cloth matching this in Spain and the material has been tested to be the same.
We live in an interesting time in History. Never have so many advances been recorded and how different the generations are in expectations.
We know for certain the Bible is not a made up 400 A.D. oral history. Papyrus 46 explains how intact the Scriptures are from the late first and early 2nd century A.D.
We have witnessed so many archaeological finds. Opinions have been vastly changed about the Bible. The Pew Report shows the USA changes denominations to reflect their faith. We don't sit warming the pew any more. Lives change.
The old litmus tests of Faith in the last century have all but faded to distant memory.
Astonishing to find how active the United States is in faithful prayer daily. All of this isn't old or broken as we look at photos of people in Middle Eastern formal attire from the time of Jesus Christ. We may live close to the Jetsons we never expected to see in our lifetimes, but faith - real faith - is very real.
Changes.
Teaching has changed. Two or three generations past teachers paddled hands with rulers to get results. Today we know we offer rewards to children. Good behavior all week gets a reward like frozen yogurt or a trip out with parents. Jesus taught with forgiveness. He forgave and Jesus then healed.
Steadfast God of Love.
To remember the gracious style of Jesus we should always remember the Parable of the Talents.
Where we Aim High. Or as Jesus said Rise. The one who expects to work with the Kingdom of God and be within His Blessings works with Joy. The Goodness of God is expected with ten talents. The lowest talent says God is harsh and is unhappy with our failing to really try hard enough to pull for the Kingdom of God. We are the people of the New Covenant. We pray and know Father God Loves us.
God tells us, again and again, He is our Parent. He delights in us. Aaron was invited into the Holy of Holies again and again. Father God certainly knew Aaron was going to sprinkle the whole place with blood. We surely do not hope someone to sprinkle us all with blood. Or our home. God finds the delight of His heart is with mankind. And God arranges Holiness to come to us because we could not obtain holiness.
Matthew 5:41
1 and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
We might do this once. Father God has certainly gone very, very far further to provide Our Righteousness and Holiness in Jesus Christ. Not as our waiter for prayers to fill, but as our Father, our Savior. The Righteousness of God is all inspiring. Jesus accepted the Disciples.
Jesus had 72 Disciples beyond the 12. After Jesus fully explained the New Covenant and Communion - a lot of Disciples left Jesus. Walked away. From Jesus. I'd bet you - if we looked at every Chapter in the Gospels even the 12 Disciples could have reason to have pain they failed God in every single Chapter. The Disciples were the Swiss Cheese of Goodness. And Jesus did not leave nor forsake, nor grind down those Jesus felt could leave one talent and become Ten Talents.
Jesus forgave and forgave. Jesus loves very, very much. Jesus delights in mankind upon looking into them. Jesus has assigned, credited, planned and Loved people with all numbers of talents in many seasons of their lives.
Father God, our Abba,
We pray with supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for senators, representatives, governors, vice presidents and presidents and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all
We pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling. We are saved through wanting to provide a safe, good and respectful life for our children. We continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
We ask for our Nation to find purely peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere leaders.
We are petitioning Father God for Him to bless and keep this generation with so many changes. That His Face will shine upon those who are in need of Him. That Abba will be gracious to this culture and time. That our Merciful God will Lift His Face upon us, to smile with His favor and help us to be at Peace being Covered with the Name of Jesus.
We will never cease to pray for the people God has placed in our lives, those we Love. We will pray with Hope for our cares and for this Nation. The Churches of Jesus Christ the Lord. And for the people all lifting prayers to our Lord.
Praying for a voyager going to the other side of the Planet for Blessings and Safety. For Loved Ones with critical health issues for hope, comfort, Joy and Mercy. In Forgiveness, we are healed in Jesus.
More Heaven on earth with expectation of Your Goodness, Amen in Jesus Christ.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment