“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” (Luke 7:41-50).
The unexpected appearance of the sinful woman
at Simon’s dinner party for Jesus incited his anger and suspicion toward his
esteemed guest. Jesus turned the event into a teaching and ministry moment.
Simon got a lesson and the woman received forgiveness and salvation. But truth
seekers in every age learn much about the process of winning and making genuine
disciples here too. Out Teacher, the Holy Spirit inspired Luke to record for us
three marks of effective and productive discipleship here. In His encounter
with the uninvited dinner guest and His discourse with a critical host, Jesus
gives us a glimpse of the attitude that produces disciples.
Awareness of guilt draws repentant sinners
to Christ. Genuine disciples never forget the debt that Christ paid for us. Recognition
of her great sin drove the sinful woman to seek forgiveness. Jesus taught that repentance
is inextricably linked to salvation… “Unless you repent, you will all
likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Productive disciples intentionally seek
to live and speak in love, the kind of holiness that convicts and compels the
lost to seek Christ’s forgiveness… “God’s kindness is meant to lead you
to repentance” (Romans 2:4). Responding to guilt with repentance leads
to forgiveness and salvation.
A measure of gratitude moves converts
to serve Christ. Earnest disciples are compelled to share the gospel and engage
in disciple-making work by the love that drove Christ to the cross on our
behalf… “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded
this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all,
that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for
their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Just as her gratitude
for Christ’s forgiveness was increased when she displayed her great devotion to
Him before others, productive disciples experience increased thanksgiving as we
share His gospel of forgiveness with others… “As grace extends to more
and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God” (2
Corinthians 4:15). Increasing gratitude leads to higher levels of service
to Christ and others.
Faith in His grace introduces disciples
to the peace of Christ. Maturing disciples have an increasing faith in Christ’s
forgiveness that gives them peace to live through and above the trials of this
temporal life… “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have
peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome
the world” (John 16:33). Jesus promised
peace if the sinful woman would trust in Him despite the world’s condemnation.
Productive disciples who trust in Christ will experience the same supernatural
peace in any natural trial or situation… “Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your
hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). Trusting
God’s grace sets us free from anxiety and fills us with His incomparable peace.
As we grow up into Christ like the
sinful woman, we are increasingly grateful for His forgiveness, our faith in
Him matures, and we become more effective disciple-makers as we reflect…
The Attitude that Produces Disciples.
No comments:
Post a Comment