What Jesus Did : Luke 7:36 - Open to All People
by Phil Ware
Open to All People - Luke 7:36
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him. Jesus went into the Pharisee's house and took a place at the table. (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Even though many Pharisees had repeatedly rejected Jesus, opposed his every move, and demonstrated an unwillingness to believe, Jesus went to the Pharisee's home because he loved all people. He didn't rule out anyone or any group from being exposed to God's grace. Let's not let our prejudices, or the prejudices of another group against Christians, keep us from the opportunity of sharing God's grace in Jesus.
Today's Prayer
Father, I admit that I have assumed someone's negative attitude toward your Word, your Son, or your people because of the way they talked or dressed, or because of my past experiences with others like them. Please forgive me for underestimating the power of the Gospel and for my prejudice. Help me love all people just as you have loved me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him. Jesus went into the Pharisee's house and took a place at the table. There was a sinful woman in that town. She knew that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house. So the woman brought some perfume in an alabaster jar. She stood at Jesus' feet, crying. Then she began to wash his feet with her tears. She dried Jesus' feet with her hair. She kissed his feet many times and rubbed them with perfume. The Pharisee that asked Jesus to come to his house saw this. He thought to himself, "If this man (Jesus) were a prophet, he would know that the woman who is touching him is a sinner!" In response, Jesus said to the Pharisee, "Simon, I have something to say to you." Simon said, "Let me hear it, teacher." Jesus said, "There were two men. Both men owed money to the same banker. One man owed the banker 500 silver coins. The other man owed the banker 50 silver coins. The men had no money, so they could not pay their debt. But the banker told the men that they did not have to pay him. Which one of those two men will love the banker more?" Simon answered, "I think it would be the one that owed him the most money." Jesus said to Simon, "You are right." Then Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you gave me no water for my feet. But she washed my feet with her tears and dried my feet with her hair. You did not greet me with a kiss, but she has been kissing my feet since I came in! You did not honor me with oil for my head, but she rubbed my feet with her sweet-smelling oil. I tell you that her many sins are forgiven. This is clear, because she showed great love. But the person that feels only a little need to be forgiven will feel only a little love when he is forgiven." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The people sitting at the table began to think to themselves, "Who does this man (Jesus) think he is? How can he forgive sins?" Jesus said to the woman,"Because you believed, you are saved {from your sins}. Go in peace."-- Luke 7:36-50 (ERV)
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