Jesus showed real love by serving those who could do nothing for him.

Luke 7:36-50

36Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is- that she is a sinner”.

40Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me teacher,” he said.41”Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he cancelled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

43Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44Then he turned towards the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not pour oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.47Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven- for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little, loves little.”

48Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.”

Jesus’ life was about loving those who could do nothing for him. The parable in this story is a perfect example of this. Both men owed debt, but the moneylender cancelled it. He showed compassion towards two people who could do nothing for him.

The woman who kissed and poured perfume on his feet was also a sinner who could do nothing for Jesus. She couldn’t support Jesus in his ministry, or prevent the crucifixion from happening. She must have also been under great emotional stress to be crying at Jesus’ feet. The impact of her sin must have been overwhelming her. But she had faith, knew that she was a sinner and recognized Jesus as the One who forgives sin. Despite how broken she was, Jesus forgave her and loved her. Love follows forgiveness and love is the proof that a person has received forgiveness. The more people are forgiven, the more they are loved.

Although we aren’t as broken as the woman in the story, we need forgiveness just as much as she did. We can’t do anything for Jesus, yet still Jesus loves us and forgives our sin. Jesus’ life is all about loving those who could do nothing for him. Although we can’t do anything to completely cut sin out of our lives, Jesus deals with our sin by his crucifixion and resurrection. He loves us so much, that he took our place. When you lust after something, your heart and mind turns away from Jesus and sin enters your life. We forget about what we do have – a perfect relationship with a God who loves and forgives us when we sin and repent. Embracing Jesus as king of your life is about embracing God’s love and intimacy. In Jesus’ death and resurrection, we die to lust and rise to love and intimacy.

Head: How does Jesus show real love to other people who are sinners and can do nothing for him?

Heart: How does it feel knowing that Jesus devoted his whole life towards loving you despite your sin?

Hands: What are some practical ways that you can show love towards other people?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come before you acknowledging that I can do nothing to completely cut off all of the sin in my life. I’m so grateful and thankful that you sent Jesus to die in my place. You showed real love towards me even though I fall well short of your perfect standards. Help me to show that same love to other people, even if those people can do nothing for me in return. Amen.

Song Choice: This Is Love

Mick Lather

This Grow Daily was  originally posted as part of the God With Us – Matthew series. During the School Holidays we take the opportunity to look back at the Grow Dailys over the years.