One thing that I love about the Bible is that although it was canonized nearly 2000 years ago, the stories are very vivid to me. The Gospels especially come alive when you read them not as dry theology, but as a story about us.

    I started a challenge at my blog hankgarner.wordpress.com. For thirty days we as a community would look at the stories and teachings of Jesus and find out what He had to say and what He did. If we call ourselves Christ followers, but don’t understand the Christ, how can we be good messengers?

    Since starting the 30 Day Red Letter Challenge at my blog, I have really tried to put myself into the story. I wasn’t exactly prepared for what I found in Luke chapter 7. Starting in verse 36, we pick up the story of Jesus being invited to dinner at a religious leaders home. As was the custom, the men were reclining around a low table having a leisurely meal and talking and debating. A woman that the Bible simply refers to as a sinner hears that Jesus is at the leaders house and comes in to see Jesus. At this point, the story narrows down to three people.

    The woman comes near to Jesus and is overcome with love for Him. She feels the weight of her sin and shortcomings and can do nothing but weep over Jesus’ feet. She is weeping so hard that she is actually able to wash His feet with tears. She then wipes them with her hair.

    Across the table, the Pharisee comments that if Jesus were really a prophet He would know what kind of woman was touching Him. She is a sinner. Jesus then gives this leader a lesson in forgiveness.

    Jesus says “Two men owed money to a certain money lender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

    The leader replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.”

    “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

    Jesus looks at the woman who was still weeping and pouring perfume on His feet and addresses Simon the Pharisee. “You didn’t offer to wash my feet or anoint my head when I came into your house, but this woman hasn’t stopped kissing my feet and pouring perfume on them. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”

    This story brings up some questions for me. How many times have I been so moved by the enormity of my sin that I actually wept over it? As we draw closer to Jesus and His mercy and grace we should realize how inadequate we are and how great He is. The other question is how many times have I been that religious leader that stands between sinners and Jesus? Am I more worried about my reputation and who I am seen with than showing the love of Jesus to people that need it?

    I encourage you to read the story for yourself. Take the time to plug yourself into the story. Then ask yourself this question: Which character are you?

    Hank Garner is Pastor of LifeSpring Community Church. You can contact him at www.lifespringcommunity.com or 601-207-0120.