Garrison Keillor tells a story of a
family get-together at Thanksgiving, and how every year it was the
same uncle who gave the blessing at the family dinner. It was always a long
prayer, and inevitably it got stalled at the point where he began
giving thanks for Jesus’ death on the cross.
While the rest of the family began to worry about the turkey growing cold, the uncle would begin to weep. Keillor said, “I don’t know, I guess he just never got over Jesus’ death the way other Christians have.” Sadly, Jesus’ death on the cross doesn’t move many people to tears.
Jesus was dining at Simon the Pharisee’s house when an immoral woman came into the house. She kissed His feet and poured a vial of perfume on them, and as she wept, wiped His feet with her hair. The Pharisee was offended by her actions. He thought, “If this man were a prophet, He would know that she is a sinner” (Luke 7:36-39).
Jesus said, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” He then told a story about a moneylender who had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii, and the other owed 50. When both were unable to repay, he forgave them both. Jesus asked Simon, “Which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” Jesus said, “You have answered correctly” (7:41-43).
According to Jesus, our love for God has everything to do with our realization of how much we have been forgiven by Him. He said, “Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little” (Luke 7:47).
That’s why the woman cried and wiped His feet with her tears. And that’s why the uncle cried every Thanksgiving when he gave thanks for Jesus’ death on the cross. He focused on what Jesus did to purchase his eternal salvation, while the others seated at the table were focusing on the turkey getting cold. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net
Two Stocking Stuffers for Christmas: Amazing Stories & Daily Devotionals ($14.99)
