September 24, 2012 (Ezra 1; Psalm 84-85; Luke 7)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “Then Jesus answered his thoughts.’Simon,’ He said to the Pharisee, ‘I have something to say to you.’ ‘Go ahead, Teacher,’ Simon replied.” Luke 7:40 NLT
Observation: The Pharisees and experts in religious law had rejected God’s plan for them, for they had refused John’s baptism. John preached a message of repentance, and baptism was an outward profession of a person that had repented. The Pharisees didn’t feel like they needed to repent because they were the leaders! Simon, a Pharisee, invited Jesus to his house for dinner when in comes a sinner woman. She knelt at the feet of Jesus and washed His feet with her tears, dried them with her hair and anointed His feet with expensive perfume. Simon was about to learn why this woman loved Jesus so much. He was also about to learn why he loved Him so little.
Application: Jesus knows our thoughts. He knows what we are thinking and the motivation behind why we are thinking it. No thought passes through our mind without Him seeing it. What a blessing it is when Jesus answers our thoughts. What a joy it is to hear Jesus say, “I have something to say to you.” or it can be very disturbing. If Jesus looked into your mind today what would He find? How much are you guilty of? How much have you been forgiven of? How much, or little, do you love Jesus? If Jesus came to your house for dinner would you be like Simon the Pharisee that didn’t need to repent, or would you be like the sinner woman weeping at His feet? The sinner woman left Simon’s house in peace with her sins forgiven, but what happened to Simon?
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You so much for your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your love and patience toward me. Thank You for forgiving my sins and washing me clean with Your precious blood. Help me be humble as the sinner woman in Luke 7. Remind me often how I don’t deserve Your grace and I certainly have not earned Your favor. You are amazing God! Your ways are far above my understanding. Give me wisdom to know what’s right and the courage and strength to do what’s right at all times. In Jesus name, Amen!