19 September 2013 - revolution, not evolution

19 September 2013 - revolution, not evolution

So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven;
hence, she has shown great love.

It isn't that this woman is forgiven because of her weeping.  She isn't forgiven because she anoints Jesus with oil.  She isn't forgiven because she wipes his feet with her hair.  Jesus is clear: these things are a result, not the cause.

Which of them will love him more?”
Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”

She is uniquely blessed to understood her own brokenness and utter reliance on Jesus.  The Pharisee calls all of this in to question.  He thinks he knows "what sort of woman this is".  He doesn't believe that people can change or that forgiveness is possible.  But Jesus assures her that the forgiveness she experienced is real.

He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

And he doesn't just say it for her.  He says it for the benefit of everyone who doesn't believe that people can change.  Normally, that may be true.  But God's grace is a game changer.  We are often both the Pharisee and the woman, telling ourselves that we know how we are.  We don't believe in our own ability to change.  But faith can through these barriers.

“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The world is always setting these conditions for grace.  It says that it can't work in the heart of a habitual sinner like the woman above.  It also thinks that youth is a barrier.

Let no one have contempt for your youth,
but set an example for those who believe,
in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.

But the Spirit can change even someone who is young into an exemplar of "speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity."  It can in fact make them into leaders who can exhort and teach the people of God. In all cases grace can do this because it does not depend on any natural preconditions.

Do not neglect the gift you have,
which was conferred on you through the prophetic word
with the imposition of hands by the presbyterate.

And just as Jesus makes the woman and example of the power of grace to change a sinner so Paul wants Timothy to be an example of just what the Spirit can do in the life of even a young believer so that his "progress may be evident to everyone".

The woman and Timothy both start from the same point.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

And therefore they both won't hesitate to proclaim with the psalmist, "How great are the works of the Lord!"