This year, as part of our celebratory Christmas decorations, we set up a fantastic black-and-cream toy train under the tree. Once a day, I would let the kids play with it for a few minutes. They would sit on their tiny knees, leaning forward and exclaiming while the train made its allotted brave journey around the tree several times. Then I’d remind them to turn it off and move on with their day.
One of my best friends laughed at me for this, saying, “You’re limiting their Christmas magic so you don’t have to spend money on replacement batteries?!” Yeah, I guess I do tend to be a little parsimonious when it comes to… well, everything. Some of us are miserly with our resources. Maybe you are a bit freer with your spending; we’re all different. But if I had an alabaster jar filled with perfume I would reluctantly parse it out over many years, and I’d be hard-pressed to slop it all out in one afternoon over a stranger.
Whether you are free or tight with resources, it’s important to know when it’s time to set aside your personal inclinations. Otherwise, we are like the Pharisee who invited Jesus to his house but held back on the hospitality. If the Pharisee had realized Who was sitting at his table, and what debt of gratitude he owed Him, would he have been so close-fisted in his actions? And centuries later, knowing Jesus’s purpose and intent, would we have washed His feet and offered Him a kiss? Unless we are aware of our great debt of love, it’s hard to remember who we are and what we are called to do.
When we realize how much we have received—how much we have been forgiven—then everything comes into perspective. We too often hold back pieces of our lives for ourselves, because we fail to see how greatly we have been forgiven. If we were to comprehend the full abundance of God’s forgiveness, how could we hold back anything from Him? In Him we have received all things, beyond what we could ask or imagine.
Like the woman in Luke 7, we who have been forgiven much can appreciate the depth of Christ’s love. The more we see our need of Him, the more opportunity we have for gratefulness and love for His deep forgiveness. He doesn’t speak of the woman’s shame, only of her love.
In John’s vision of heaven, the twenty-four elders cast their crowns at the feet of Christ, crying out: “Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power!” (Revelation 4:11). Everything changes because of who Christ is. By His sacrifice, He has given us abundant forgiveness and overwhelming love. He calls us to live our lives in thankfulness—and when we remember who He is and what He has done, how can we keep from falling at His feet in grateful love?
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71 thoughts on "Much Forgiveness, Much Love"
So many people are stingy to give God their worst – their sins. BUT we don’t go to God already perfect, already clean. We need to go to God TO BE cleaned… with everything we have as an offering. Alabaster perfume, sin and all. He wants all of us. I think that’s the most beautiful and comforting thing. He wants it all, he holds it all, and we can trust him with it all.
Kassiani, Your name and comment are beautiful. I have always loved this Scripture, Jesus’ response to the woman who bathed his feet with her tears. Kassiani writes so eloquently the depth of despair over personal sin and the height, length and width of His great, mercy,forgiveness and love. ” Oh, how I love Jesus!”
There is a beautiful hymn that is sung on Holy Tuesday. Written in the 9th century by St. Kassiani (my patron saint) about the woman in Luke 7:36-50, her words speak of the unconditional love & mercy of our Lord :: “Lord, the woman caught up in a multitude of sins, sensing Your divinity, assumes the perfumer’s role; lamenting, she provides myrrh in anticipation of Your burial. “Alas!” she cries, “for me night is a frenzy of excess, dark and moonless, a love affair with sin. You draw from the clouds the waters of the sea; will You accept the fountainhead of my tears? In Your inexpressible condescension You made the heavens incline; incline now to the groaning of my heart. I will cover Your immaculate feet with kisses, then dry them with my tresses. Eve heard Your footsteps in Paradise and hid herself in fear. Who can fathom the magnitude of my transgressions or the depths of Your judgments, O Savior of my soul? Yet in Your boundless mercy do not reject me, Your servant.”
I love Jesus so much❤️❤️❤️
Hi Kim. I’m not from SRT, but thought I would try and help. The Auto-Ship Policies page says that:
“You may cancel your subscription at any time from your customer account page after you have received 3 or more shipments. … Cancelled annual subscriptions are not refundable and will be delivered through the duration of your 12-month period.”
https://www.shopshereadstruth.com/pages/auto-ship-policies
Have you tried logging into your account? Hope this helps.
regards,
Lesley
“Your faith has saved you; ho in peace.” She came to Jesus, weeped, & gave her most expensive idem. May my heart & faith be like hers … willing
I forgive your sins! ❤️
Let our hearts and minds rest as we accept he is able to forgive us and set our hearts free of condemnation.
Thanks Heidi, I will try praying a different way. I will try to pray for them. Thanks! Have a great day.
Thank you Lord for forgiving my sins. When my sins seem like they’re tall enough to touch the sky, Your love and grace surpasses all of my shame and guilt. You are the Alpha.
“Everything changes because of who Christ is.” and we are changed because of who He is in us. I’m always humbled by this story of the woman — washing Jesus’ feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair, and pouring her alabaster jar of perfume over someone she hasn’t yet met, but has so much faith in.
“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
❤️
We had a wonderful surprising breakthrough in our season of difficulty today!!! Could this be the beginning of the end? In the midst of rejoicing and telling others (as an attempt to share the joy) an unexpected rebuke came from a family member. You would think I would have been prepared for an attack (the devil is sure to want us kept discouraged and despairing) yet it shook me to tears. Her reasons was cruel and hurtful. I know this family member is hostile to Christianity and I’ve been on the receiving end of her blows before. Attempts at reconciliation have met with silence. After five minutes of very human emotions, I turned to the Lord in obedience to pray to forgive her. Not easy. I admit I liked the idea of heaping coals on her head as the Scripture says – but with the hope that she is purified and her heart turned from one of stone to one of surrendered flesh. I prayed that anger, hurt, bitterness and jealousy would shatter and that the fruit of the Spirit would bloom forth. She accepted Christ years ago but circumstances and unwise decisions made her blame God and turn away. It is time for her to shatter her alabaster jar of anger and it is time for me to shatter my alabaster jar of unrealistic expectations. My trust remains steadfast in the Lord. God is in charge. He loves her and will pursue her. That’s all the encouragement I need. My joy is not diminished. I rejoice in the breakthrough blessings we had today – and I await expectantly for one for her also.
This was such an encouragement to me. So thankful for a Savior who loves to forgive sinners from the least to the greatest! I feel like as Christians we can fail to have the compassion that Christ shows this woman, we can be judgemental and unforgiving. Or maybe we can feel judgement from others from our failures, our imperfections. We can believe that maybe Grace has it’s limits. But Christ has the true authority over forgiveness. Whsn a sinner turns in faith to Christ or we as Christians turn back to Christ from waywordness, we are received with forgiveness. So we should live a grace-filled life towards others and have joy for God’s grace in our lives.
The posture of our heart saves us, just like the woman with the alabaster box. Despite her past and what others saw her as, she knew the depth of her sins and this morning bings that Jesus had forgiven and freed her from.
God knows our hearts, and we have been reminded time and time again by the fruits we bear will reveal who we really are. The truth is, I would have struggled being the woman with the alabaster box, just knowing that I could have possible sold it and gotten money. What would you have done?! My prayer is that I am like the woman with alabaster box, I afraid of what people think of me or the past they prefer to hold onto failing to realize that my God has change me.
“Unless we are aware of our great debt of love, it’s hard to remember who we are and what we are called to do. … The more we see our need of Him, the more opportunity we have for gratefulness and love for His deep forgiveness. [Notice that] He doesn’t speak of the woman’s shame, only of her love”. Oh yes. Oh Father. You have forgiven me of so much. Yet you look on me with love. With joy! And You give me the opportunity to show Your amazing love to others. As I prepare to go to Honduras, Father, may I be a conduit of Your love.
I’ve been saying this a lot. I want to see the depths of my sins, because then I see how desperately I needed a Savoir and need a Savior. If I compare myself, and think I’m not that bad, I’m like the Pharisee in the Bible that thanked God He wasn’t like the sinner me to him. However, that guy was pouring his sins out and crying to God. He wasn’t even lifting his head. Sin is sin to God, and I want to be like the man crying out and humbly seek Him.
I just heard my pastor say that seeking God is like playing hide and seek with a little child. You may say to the child,”I can’t find you.” They will say,”I’m behind the couch.” He said God wants us to seek Him, because He wants to be found.
“Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” Luke 7:50 my favorite part. ♡
Hi Kim, I’m not with SRT, but thought I could try and help. The Auto-Ship Policies page says that “You may cancel your subscription at any time from your customer account page after you have received 3 or more shipments.”
https://www.shopshereadstruth.com/pages/auto-ship-policies
Have you tried logging into your account and cancelling from there? Hope it gets sorted out soon. Hope your situation improves soon too.
God, thank you so much for this word! I am struggling with fully forgiving my husband for infidelities in the marriage. I have stepped back from having a lot to say about the trust issues in my marriage because he usually turns things around on me. I have sort of given up but I have not given up on my faith in God as my redeemer! I love
Kathy as a nurse I have seen the struggles you and your sister are going through with your parents and I will be praying for both of you and your parents. I worked in a memory care unit and saw situations like yours.
Courtney Peters I will be praying for you. And as suggested you might want to read the book Boundaries by John Townsend and Henry Cloud it’s on audio.
Mari V I’ll be praying for your son and his friends.
❤️
This post has nothing to do with this lesson but sadly I am not getting any response from my emails, and I cannot find a phone number, since last week requesting that my auto ship be canceled immediately due to financial strain, can someone with SRT please help me? I’m in a bit of a panic as I don’t have the extras cash for this and need it resolved before another payment is taken. It’s really adding stress to an already stressful time. Many thanks! Kim
I would try their Facebook page
What Christ has done for me shapes my whole perspective. The way I live, the words I say, the things I do. I woke up in fear but feel renewed knowing that Christ is with me and has extended His hands towards me in grace and love. My life is for Him alone.
Amen
Jesus you don’t give your heart in pieces! Thank you for your love and affection.
Lord, I am so tired this morning. First day back to work and my daughter to school. Thank you for your WORD this morning. Thank you that you do not see my shame. Thank you that you love me. You love me forever. Please watch over my son and his friends as they are on an adventure at the snow. Keep my boys safe!
Yes! Response to what has been given. I see myself in your comment about holding back as well as in the Pharisee. respectfully- Jesus was not a stranger to her. Her actions were in response to what must have taken place prior. Only the very best she had was worthy in response. Thanks be to God!
Forgiveness is something I have struggled with giving to people who have deeply hurt me. Yet it is a quality that Jesus not only gave freely, but gave His entire life and blood for for us to enter the kingdom of Heaven one day. How can I be more like Christ to where my forgiveness extends to all those who have harmed me?
Also, forgiveness is one thing, but forgetting about it and allowing the memories to haunt you is even worse. For the longest time, I believed that if I was still remembering how hurt I was over something someone did to me or if I remembered something I asked forgiveness for that God has not forgetten about it. Yet scripture says that as far as east is from west is how He has erased our sin completely from existence.
Scripture explicitly states that the one who is forgiven little, loves little. I have sinned greatly and have repented for those sins sometimes over and over again in spite of knowing God has forgiven me for them long ago when I first repented. My faith is sometimes shaky, and I have made it a point to be more rooted in the Word of God. I want to put time aside each day to read, study and decipher the Word. The Devotionals I’m participating in have been an immense help in the restoration of my relationship with Christ.
Then he is NOT in the kingdom
Terri, Luke 7:28 does not imply that John the Baptist will not be in the Kingdom, but that his life & ministry on earth came before the new covenant was established. The new covenant surpasses that of the old, so even the least in the Kingdom is greatest (blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven) Jesus was also speaking to the Pharisees who continued to reject His teachings and the coming of a new covenant. Hope this helps ♡
Luke 7:28. “But the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he”. Why wasn’t John the Baptist in the kingdom of God? If the least is greater than he then he is in the kingdom.
How do you forgive like Jesus but also show boundaries…this is the area I struggle most in life and would love prayer. My husband and I have an 8 month daughter, and his dad has never met. We keep a lot of distance between his family because there was(and is physical and emotional abuse towards his mom. Something my husband had to see and have trauma because of. I have such hate towards both of them for allowing and keeping that relationship and the pain it has caused him. Every time we extend an olive branch my husband ends up crying or asking them to leave early. I just struggle because through all of this I also see a husband who loves his mother very much and has sympathy towards her and i know this is harsh but i dont have that because all they have ever done towards him is cause pain and now im more protective because of my daughter. I could go on and on but i just need prayer to forgive and love much like Jesus and not hold on to this hatred but also have boundaries for my family.
Courtney, sending prayers for you and your husband. I have struggled with something similar with trying to love and forgive my mom while maintaining healthy boundaries. The book “boundaries” was extremely helpful to me so I highly recommend it. I think the hardest part is not having expectations or getting your hopes up for them to fill the need you desperately want them to. To have a healthy relationship (as much as it can be healthy) falls all on the one who isn’t abusive-you have to do all the work, I.e maintain the boundaries, keep your expectations low, etc. you can’t rely on that person to make it a healthy relationship). It took a lot of time for me to realize that setting boundaries was not wrong but actually healthier for all involved. Limiting time spent, conversations shared, etc is not being mean or unforgiving, but wise!
Courtney, I simply want to say guard your heart but don’t let it get hardened.
Praying that God will lead you through this difficult situation and that His wisdom would allow you to see which course of direction to take. You can pray over those who cause/ have caused pain but you don’t have to break bread with them. Above all else, guard your heart.
I’m praying for you and your husband, Courtney. ❤️
What a beautiful reading this morning….my heart is full.
I love this chapter. So many stories of faith and love in action. The story of the Centurion stuck out to me today. His servants tried to justify his worthiness to Jesus, but he corrected them, recognizing his own unworthiness. He knew that Jesus’s authority came from God, and seemed to recognize that in a way others had not.
Can you imagine weeping over your sin to the point that you actually drench the feet of the Lord and have to dry them? What a reminder today to be broken over the things in my life that separate me from His presence!
As I was reading this morning, I was struck by a few thoughts.
First, great faith displayed by people for varied walks of life. The Centurion, the widow, John the Baptist and the sinful woman. From leaders to P.O.
Prayers for you Kathy!
The scripture passages are full! Thank you, God for giving us Your Word, Jesus Christ!
Why is the 23rd Psalm used for funerals? (I know the answer.) However, it should be read, referred to, and leaned upon for each of us on a daily basis! God promises are for the here and the now. May we approach Him with bold reverence.
Bunny, I have struggled with that in areas of my life as well and the first step to sincerely healing places where hate has taken up residence in my heart is prayer. Yes prayer for me to see opportunity where I can show kindness (a characteristic of love), but prayer for the person/group who my hate is directed towards… genuine prayer over their hearts and lives, as well as how God can open my eyes to see what pain/loss/etc THEY are possibly victims of… it’s NOT easy I’ll say that right now… but it heals you- I’ll say that as well! :)
Kathy, lifting you and your family in prayer that God will give you strength, wisdom, and peace during this time of uncertainty and difficulty. May you feel God’s presence today and in the days ahead as you care for your parents.
Matthew Henry’s commentary has this one sentence that made me realize I have a long road to salvation.
“But without free forgiveness none of us can escape the wrath to come; this our gracious Saviour has purchased with his blood, that he may freely bestow it on every one that believes in him.”
I have hate in my heart and need to change it, but I don’t know how. I am trying to find the way.
Hi Bunny,
I pray that God heals you through the pains and helps you love and forgive. I know the healing process is rough especially when someone has hurt you but as Heidi mentioned the best way to start the process is through prayer. Pour your heart out to God, explain to him where the pain is coming from, hand it over to Him, and pray that He destroys that hate residing in your heart and teaches you to love. Just like Jesus shed blood for the forgiveness of our sins, let God show you how to forgive those who hurt you. God bless you.
Bunny, I am reminded of a homily my priest gave a few weeks back. The reading was from Luke 6:27-28 and the reason why we are commanded by Christ to pray for our enemies is that as we pray for those we hate, our heart is turned towards them and is softened. The posture of our heart during prayer is compassion, mercy & love. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your heart to compassion and whenever your thoughts turn to them throughout the day instead of allowing Satan to twist your view of them, just take a moment and ask the Lord to have mercy on them and you will be amazed how quickly you are walking in peace. I hope this helps & that you find healing in this area ♡
I love the story of this ruler also who knew he wasn’t worthy. Even though Jesus lavishly bestows His love and forgiveness, there’s still a part of me that recognizes that I’m unworthy of it. He gives me far beyond what I deserve.
And He cares for me. The two stories of the widows are touching. The LORD saw these women who had lost everything. He didn’t have to do anything about it, but he chose to bestow grace upon them, too.
What a great and giving Savior we serve!
Kathy, we walked a very similar path as you are on now. It is so very hard and I’m praying for you and your siblings. May you be of one mind and work together for what is best for your parents. It is hard, but it is precious time.
I’ve always loved the story of the woman with the alabaster box. This is something so powerful to me. She had faith and love for Christ so much so that she willingly used something so precious and expensive without a second thought on a body part that was likely dirty (feet). She then humbled herself further and wiped the tears with her hair. She didn’t ask for anything, she just served in the humblest of manners. Even when the pharisees tried to slander her name, Jesus saw her heart and her sins were forgiven. Thank you Jesus for not caring about the kind of woman I was, but instead caring about where my heart is now and forgiving me of my past.
Agreed, I think of her and how she, in that moment was just WITH Jesus. Being present. Loving and worshipping Him. Giving all she had. Holding back nothing.
Such a good reminder that we are loved for exactly who we are!!!!!
Such a great reminder that God loves us for exactly who we are!!!!!
Amen!
Sweet sisters, I have shared in the past about the struggles we have had with my parents. My mom has Parkinson’s and my dad is in the beginning stages of dementia. Right before Christmas, we moved them into an assisted living facility. Currently, they are in the same apartment but my mom’s Parkinson’s has progressed to the point where she needs to be in a different part of the facility. My dad has control issues. He has a hard time letting the nurses do their job and help my mom and him. The staff is meeting with them and my sister today to explain the move. Please pray for this meeting. Pray that my dad can really buy into the fact that this will be a good thing. The only difference will basically be the sleeping arrangements. They can be together all day, they just won’t spend the night together. Night time is when my mom has the most issues – trying to get up, getting agitated, etc. This has been one of the hardest things I have had to go through. Aging parents are an adventure! Thank you for your prayers.
Kathy, I will be praying for you.
I just lifted your parents up in prayer. I know the journey you are going on. My Father has dementia so I understand. My Mother and I have been on a hard, long journey with him for almost 5 years. God is so faithful and has always provided a way for us to care for my Dad. I pray for both of your parents to be receptive to the change. God Bless you!
Praying for your family! ❤️
Praying for you. Have been where you are and know how difficult it is. So hard to see our parents struggle no matter how old they are or we are. They are blessed to have loving children caring for them.
Praying for you, your family and your mom and dad. Praying for acceptance and peace!
Praying for you and your parents today Kathy!
Praying for you and your family as you navigate this.
Praying. My cousin is in the exact same position as you, but it’s my uncle with Parkinson’s and my aunt with Alzheimer’s. The are young,not yet 70 and the diseases are so advanced. Lmk if you’d like to connect with her. And if you can, pray that they three would feel the love of Christ and turn to him!
Kathy, you and your parents are in my prayers. I can’t imagine how incredibly hard all of this must be for you. They are blessed to have such a kind and caring daughter to be with them each step of the way through such difficult times.❤️
Praying for you ❤️
Praying
Oh my heart goes out to you. We had gi do this last year with my grandparents. Nothing prepares you to watch those you love slowly either away. Praying for peace and understanding!!♡
From the basic (hair), to the extravagant (alabaster jar of perfume), Thank you Lord for opportunities to use what You have given us to show others Your love.
Lord, thank you for Your forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Keep me mindful of my great need for You and the depths of joy that are mine because I have been forgiven much. Help me to live in the abundance of the life you have given me. I want to be all in, holding nothing back. Amen
Thank you Jesus for your forgiveness.
Hi Helen. Maybe we are related? I live in Southeastern Oklahoma. I love SRT. Fun to see our name!