Remember the Cost
by Pastor Jeffrey Smith
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:36-39
This story contrasts a sinful woman who desperately seeks Jesus with a religious leader who believes he’s got it all together. This story has stark contrast between the woman and the religious leader and it demands our attention. This story shows us the affirmation that a person feels by living a pious life contrasted with the affirmation that’s found only in the forgiveness of Jesus.
Religious people want to tell you that your worth is based on past performance. Jesus says your sins are forgiven. Religious people want to put you in a category based on what you’ve done. Jesus says your sins are forgiven. Religious people want to write you off but Jesus wants to write you in and say your sins are forgiven.
The religious leader is appalled at the presence of the sinful woman and in his heart questions Jesus for even allowing the moment to happen. Jesus reads his heart and tells a story of one lender who owes $67,000 and the other who owes $6,700 dollars. Jesus asks the leader which lender, when his debt is forgiven, would be the most grateful. Naturally, it’s the one forgiven more. The point is that we need to stop remembering how great we are and start remembering how much Jesus has forgiven us.
When we realize what He’s done for us, we cannot help but worship Him and thank Him. Do you spend most of your life thanking Jesus for what he’s done or thanking yourself for being better than those around you? If we believe that we are self-righteous, we’ll never appreciate the great sacrifice Jesus made for us. Today, let's remember the cost of what he has done for us and thank Him with our lives.
