Day 12 Tuesday March 2 2010

Day 12 Tue March 2, 2010

TODAY’S INTRO
Thanks for continuing the journey with me through Luke. Take a look at our sign on the right before reading the text today.

TODAY’S TEXT- Luke 7:24-50
24 When John's messengers had gone, Jesusf began to speak to the crowds about John:g "What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 25What then did you go out to see? Someoneh dressed in soft robes? Look, those who put on fine clothing and live in luxury are in royal palaces. 26What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27This is the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.'28I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he." 29(And all the people who heard this, including the tax collectors, acknowledged the justice of God,i because they had been baptized with John's baptism. 30But by refusing to be baptized by him, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God's purpose for themselves.) 31 "To what then will I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? 32They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, 'We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not weep.'33For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon'; 34the Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' 35Nevertheless, wisdom is vindicated by all her children."
A Sinful Woman Forgiven
36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesusj to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. 37And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. 38She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him--that she is a sinner." 40Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "speak." 41"A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii,k and the other fifty. 42When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" 43Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesusl said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44Then 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 bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." 48Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" 50And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

TODAY’S STATUS UPDATES
Let’s think about the sign at the top today which reads, “CANCELLED”

When I think of things getting cancelled it is usually bad news. Flights getting cancelled usually causes passengers stress. A cancelled TV show means that it did not have a successful run or it no longer had mass appeal. Those on limited resources know the fear of having one of their utilities cancelled such as heat or electric or gas or phone.

Cancelled things can sting. They can leave a mark. The cancellations we read about today, however, do not leave a mark. They are good news.
Jesus has not a bit of interest in seeing us buckle under the weight of sin. He has no joy in seeing us be held back by regret, anxiety, past failures, and actions we wish had never happened. He has no interest in us being continually labeled as “sinners”. So Jesus makes it clear, “I am hear to cancel out your flaws, debts, anxieties, problems--- so that you can be freed to be who I intended.


What do you need canceled out?
What do you need Jesus to take and wipe clean?



Jesus, we are thankful this day that you cancel out our sins. You remind us that you always seek to get us back on track. Fill us with the love of the woman in our text today. Teach us to be grateful for the fresh start and abundant life you have in store for us. Help us embrace that fresh start and head toward the new day. Amen



FRIENDS
Sinful Woman
John the Baptist—Jesus expresses extreme appreciation for John
Crowds


CAUSES
Canceling the personal debts/flaws in others
Hanging out with those others declare unworthy, sinful, sinners, outcasts, tax collectors
Challenging those who seek to hinder the extension of forgiveness
Mercy--

YOUTUBE.COM

A great contemporary song that comes to mind with today's text is "Mighty to Save" - Michael W. Smith or Chris Tomlin have great renditions. Check it out