OzThoughts – Thursday 17th September 2009

OzThoughts – Thursday 17th September 2009

Today’s story is one where we can focus on the action. It is such an extraordinary thing to do and would be even more extraordinary if it happened at a dinner party today. This extraordinary action is an extraordinary act of devotion and worship.

In getting caught up in the activity and reflecting on that, we must be careful not to lose sight of the communication and the teaching imbedded in it that follows. Here is Jesus declaring he can forgive event he greatest sinner. To use the words of the hymn writer, he “can make the foulest clean”.

Jesus is certainly worthy of extraordinary acts of worship. However, even in the deepest moment of worship, we must move beyond what we are doing, or what others are doing around us to listen to Jesus and his words to us.

[Listen: Songsters: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/music3/mus_4402.mp3
or
Band and congregation: http://www.salvoaudio.com/audio/songs/songs_087.mp3

O for a thousand tongues to sing
My great Redeemer's praise;
The glories of my God and King,
The triumphs of his grace!

My gracious Master and my God,
Assist me to proclaim,
To spread through all the earth abroad
The honours of thy name.

Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
That bids our sorrows cease;
'Tis music in the sinner's ears;
'Tis life and health and peace.

He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
He sets the prisoner free;
His blood can make the foulest clean,
His blood avails for me.
Author: Charles Wesley (1707-88)
The Salvation Army Song Book: Song Number: 64


Luke 7:36-50 (The Message)

36-39One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee's house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him."
40Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Oh? Tell me."
41-42"Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker cancelled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"
43-47Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."
"That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."
48Then he spoke to her: "I forgive your sins."
49That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: "Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!"
50He ignored them and said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

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