CONVINCED: The Greatest Miracle: Forgiveness
Luke 7:36–50 (ESV) One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then 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. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Illus: In 1987, Jessica McClure, better known as "Baby Jessica." fell into a abandoned well in Midland, Texas, while playing in her aunt's backyard. The rescue effort was televised across the nation and people were riveted by the heroism of the rescuers. After Jessica fell into the well, rescuers worked tirelessly for 58 hours to extricate her. The operation was complicated and required careful planning to ensure her safety while attempting to pull her out. Many firefighters, medical personnel, and volunteers were involved in the rescue, demonstrating remarkable bravery and determination. When she was finally rescued, Jessica was pulled from the well and rushed to the hospital, where she made a full recovery. The story of her rescue was broadcast on national television, and Jessica quickly became a symbol of hope and resilience. In the years that followed, Jessica often spoke about the incident and expressed her profound gratitude for the efforts of the rescuers who saved her life. As she grew older, she became an advocate for children's safety and awareness, sharing her story to help inform and educate others about the importance of safety measures. The tale of Baby Jessica's rescue touched millions and brought a sense of unity to those who followed her story, reinforcing the idea of community, heroism, and the impact of saving a life.
This is a story that riveted a nation, even the world, but did not include a miracle. Understand that the miracles Jesus did were captivating, on an even higher level due to their miraculous nature.
Jesus greatest miracle…
What Makes SIN a SIN?
GOD’S COMMAND - His Written Word, Properly Interpreted
Deuteronomy 11:26–28 (ESV) “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way that I am commanding you today, to go after other gods that you have not known.
PERSONAL CONVICTION - His Spoken Word, To An Individual
Romans 14:5–6 (NIV) One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.
FAMILY STANDARD - His Spoken Word, For A Family
Jeremiah 35:6 (NIV) But they (Rekabites) replied, “We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab gave us this command: ‘Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine.
These are for your wellbeing and life
Example: “Thou shall not lie”
Deception
Contrary to Gods nature
Contrary to the world he created
Contrary to your nature
Damages your relationship with God
Damages your relationship with self
Damages the hearer, steals from them, known or not
Creates a wrong
Creates fear of being caught
Requires additional lies
Gets found out
Damages the relationship
Damages your situation
God doesn’t want that injected into the world he has created
And yet we have, over and over
Sin against self, others, surroundings and God
Psalm 51:3–4 (ESV) For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
Consider All Who Are Present - Which One Are You?
Sinless Jesus
“Righteous” Pharisees
Religious
Rule Followers
Didn’t Do Sinful Things
“God’s People”
Levels of righteousness based on achievement
Sinful Woman
Came to a gathering she would be rejected in
Weeping on his feet, wiped with her hair
Kissed his feet
Brought and poured perfume on his feet
REVELATION: I am a sinner, and Jesus can forgive sin.
Luke 7:50 (ESV) And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Undecided Crowd
The greatest miracle - forgiveness
Most other miracles are temporary
Forgiveness is active, all encompassing, impacts eternity
It requires faith
It requires revelation of your sin