Basis of Salvation: Luke 7:40-50
“40) And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “41) A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42) When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43) Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44) 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 she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46) You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47) For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48) Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49) Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50) And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”” Luke 7:40-50
What a contrast between Simon and the sinful woman. Simon wanted to judge the woman for her sinful past, Jesus looked at her present repentant heart.
Jesus then made it clear that the one who has been forgiven much loves much in return. The one who has been forgiven little loves little in return.
Simon was so busy earning his own salvation by his religious good deeds that he saw no need for grace or mercy from Jesus. He did not see himself as a debtor. He viewed Jesus as an equal.
The woman saw herself as hopelessly lost. Jesus was her only hope for forgiveness and salvation.
Jesus made two statements to the woman; “Your sins have been forgiven”; and, “Your faith has saved you.” So it is with everyone who comes to Jesus for grace and forgiveness. Personal faith in Jesus is the basis of both forgiveness and salvation.
Unfortunately, He said nothing to Simon. He was neither forgiven nor saved. His self righteousness failed him. Religion can make you feel good, but it is not the basis of salvation.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“40) And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “41) A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42) When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43) Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44) 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 she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46) You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47) For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48) Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49) Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50) And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”” Luke 7:40-50
What a contrast between Simon and the sinful woman. Simon wanted to judge the woman for her sinful past, Jesus looked at her present repentant heart.
Jesus then made it clear that the one who has been forgiven much loves much in return. The one who has been forgiven little loves little in return.
Simon was so busy earning his own salvation by his religious good deeds that he saw no need for grace or mercy from Jesus. He did not see himself as a debtor. He viewed Jesus as an equal.
The woman saw herself as hopelessly lost. Jesus was her only hope for forgiveness and salvation.
Jesus made two statements to the woman; “Your sins have been forgiven”; and, “Your faith has saved you.” So it is with everyone who comes to Jesus for grace and forgiveness. Personal faith in Jesus is the basis of both forgiveness and salvation.
Unfortunately, He said nothing to Simon. He was neither forgiven nor saved. His self righteousness failed him. Religion can make you feel good, but it is not the basis of salvation.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
