Wednesday, 26th June

READING

Luke 7:36 -50

MEDITATION

Here are three quotes on forgiveness worth reading:

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.”
― C.S. Lewis

“To err is human, to forgive, divine.”
― Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a constant attitude.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

When we turn to the gospels and see and hear Jesus, we discover a man, who when it comes to forgiveness, changes life upside down.  Not only does he instruct us to forgive; ‘forgive others as I have forgiven you,” but He also forgives people for their sins.

The Pharisees once said: “Who is this man that he can say your sins are forgiven?”
They knew that God is the one who can forgive sins.  Obviously, Jesus is claiming to be God.  One of the things the Pharisees cannot stomach is the way Jesus forgives sins.

In Luke 7, a woman approaches Jesus at a banquet, at the home of a Pharisee.  This woman is known as a sinner.  She is probably a sex worker.  She lets down her hair, anoints Jesus with her perfume, and dries his feet with her hair; an act of love and worship.

Jesus says to her in verse 48: “Your sins are forgiven.”  This once again upsets the Pharisees.

Jesus then says to the woman: “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.”

The Pharisees condemned this woman and any other outsider.  Jesus forgave her and showed her love.

In this world of sin, darkness and loneliness, the blood of Jesus whispers forgiveness, and peace.  He not only cleanses us, but gives us his glorious presence.

PRAYER

Lord, I’m in that place again,

On my knees,

Laying my life out before You.

Thank you that on the cross you cried

“It is finished”

You have done it.

Forgiveness is complete.

I can live forever in Your grace;

Forever in Your love.

So I ask now for Your forgiveness;

For the wrongs that I have done,

And the things that I have neglected.

I ask for Your forgiveness;

For the people I have hurt along the way,

And those who I have failed to love as You love.

I ask for Your forgiveness.

I receive Your forgiveness.

And resolve in my heart;

That with Your strength,

I determine not to make these errors again.

I receive Your forgiveness.

And by the power of Your Holy Spirit;

I walk away from everything I know to be wrong,

And embrace everything I know about You.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory,

Are always and forever Yours.

Amen.

(A modern Christian prayer for forgiveness from www.lords-prayer-words.com)

PRAYER for WEDNESDAY

Today we give thanks for all the benefits we have in Christ.

We give thanks for:

• Forgiveness
• Life in Christ
• God’s love and compassion
• The hope we can live with
• The God who rules
• The gift of each other