The Way DAY 33 - God's Grace

DAY 33 - God’s Grace

Luke 7:44-47

Why did the woman in this story lavish such love on Jesus?

Jesus says in Luke 7:47 that it’s because “her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown.” This unnamed woman experienced God’s grace through Jesus. Grace is unearned, undeserved, and unexpected favor from God. God’s grace saves us and gives us power to walk the Way of Jesus.

Jesus’ interaction with the woman and Simon the Pharisee tell us several things that help us to better understand grace. First, the woman sinned. No argument there. Second, she’s been forgiven. All signs say that she’s met Jesus before. That’s when he forgave her sins. That’s why she’s here now, to express her gratitude.

Third, if she was a prostitute, then we know she’s turned her back on her sin because she emptied the entire bottle of perfume on Jesus. Perfume covered pungent body odors and attracted men. It was an expensive and essential tool of the skin trade. Like a contractor trashing all his tools, dumping it all burned the bridge to her old life. 

Fourth, we know people like Simon still see her - and treat her - like a sinner. When Jesus says, “Her sins have been forgiven,” he’s not telling HER anything new. He’s telling everyone else! In effect, Jesus says, “She’s not her sin, she’s not her past, stop treating her like she is.”

Last of all, we also know that the woman is profoundly grateful. She’s deeply aware of her sin AND deeply aware of God’s grace. Not one or the other, but BOTH at the same time. If she only knew her sin, she might despair. If she only knew grace, she might go on sinning. But she loves. She loves because she knows both her sin and God’s grace, because of Jesus. 

You can know God’s grace, too. You can experience the unearned, undeserved, and unexpected kindness of God through Jesus Christ. Your sins can be forgiven. You can get a fresh start on life, no matter what you’ve done. God’s grace is available to you if you’ll receive it through repentance and faith in Jesus!

REFLECT
Can you think of an example of someone who has shown grace to you when you least expected it?

PRAY
Thank you, Father, for your grace! I pause right now to confess my sins (PAUSE to name and confess any sins that come to mind). I’m sorry for my sins and I’m grateful for your grace. Thank you for a fresh start in Jesus. I commit myself to him again. Amen.