Jump Start # 3632

Luke 7:47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Our Jump Start yesterday was based upon this section of Scripture, Dinner at Simon’s, as I like to call it. I want to return there. Three times in the narrative, we are told that this woman was a sinner. Luke introduces her that way. He states, “a woman in the city who was a sinner” (37). Then Simon declares, “what sort of person this woman is” (39). And, even Jesus says, from our verse today, “her sins, which are many” (47). We sure get the point—this woman was a sinner!

Now, let’s put some thought to all of this:

First, some sins are clearly seen and known by others. And, then, some sins are known but to the person and God. Almost without exception, everyone thinks that this woman was a prostitute. The disgust of Simon indicates that. He would have never invited her to his home. She crashed the party.

But, we must be careful in thinking and worse, judging, that “known sins” are worse than the “secret sins.” Both cripple our souls. Both insult and shame God. Both indicate a life lived without God. Sometimes those hidden, secret sins can be more destructive than the known sins. Because they are unknown to most, a person can delay or even refuse to stop them. No one knows. But those public sins often bring the voice of the righteous calling for repentance. Public sins may result in being arrested, expelled from school, fired from job, and shame and embarrassment that follows. The consequences may be greater and the pressure to change may be greater. It’s the secret sins that we don’t get serious about that can lead to hypocrisy and a judgmental attitude.

Second, although the Lord didn’t say it, I expect Simon from our story, being old enough to have a home, host a dinner, and be known as one of the Pharisees, had plenty of sins. The Lord easily could have said, “Simon, your sins are many.” This was not a contest about which person sinned the least. It didn’t matter. They both had sinned. “I’m not as bad as you are,” doesn’t put us safely on the shore of salvation.

What would have been a beautiful picture would be if Simon had gotten a towel for the woman to dry the feet of Jesus, instead of using her hair. Or, better still, had Simon himself dried the Lord’s feet. The two sinners working together to honor the Lord would have been a beautiful image. Instead, he stood looking at her, disgusted and embarrassed that she had ruined his dinner party.

And, it makes me think about our times. Someone walks down the isle during the invitation song, tears streaming down their face, and they sit alone on the front pew, while the rest of us sing, and try to guess and wonder what’s going on. There is an awkward moment and silence when the preacher sits by this person and tries to get her story. He stands and says some words, offers a prayer and the tearful person sits alone with all the eyes behind her staring at her. What a wonderful picture if someone walked right up behind her and sat with her.

Her sins were many, Jesus said. So, were Simon’s. She was forgiven. Nothing was said about Simon’s forgiveness.

Third, we must be sure that we do not allow our congregation to look like Simon’s house. The drug addict. The drunk. The ex-con. The divorced. The bankrupt. They don’t need someone to tell them their sins and mistakes. They wear the scars. They know. What they need to know is that they are welcome. They don’t need a Simon saying, “What is she doing here?” If that is asked, couldn’t also ask, “What are YOU doing here?” Or, more accurately, “What are ANY of us doing here?” We don’t belong, but unlike Simon, the Lord has invited us. One doesn’t go to the hospital when they are well, but when they are injured and sick. One doesn’t wash a car when it is clean, but instead, when it is dirty. If we keep people away from Jesus, how will they get clean and healed?

Simon had an incredible opportunity to show the love of God and the grace of Heaven. He blew it. His judgmental eyes could not see that Jesus loves all of us. That includes the best among us and the worst among us.

Dinner at Simon’s. Most went home with food in their belly. One, the woman who anointed Jesus, went home with forgiveness in her soul. Simon stands with the prodigal’s older brother and Jonah. They’ll take all the grace you will give them, but they won’t extend it to anyone different than they are. Judging others more than self, Simon and his kind, would do well to look in the mirror once in a while. Keeping the church pure does not mean keeping people out.

Dinner at Simon’s—sure is something to think about

Roger

Jump Start # 3629

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Our verse today is a truism and not an absolute. Exceptions can be given. More so, the passage seems to indicate a natural bent. Each person seems to have that. Some are musical, others not. Some have an eye for art, others can’t draw a straight line. Some like to work with their hands. Some are problem solvers. Some like Andrew are good at bringing people to Jesus. Some have a gift with words. Some just know how to write just the right things on a piece of paper. Some gravitate towards sports. Others, theatre. Children raised in the same home with the same environment will have different natural leanings. We are gifted by God in different ways. The key is to find your talent and to use it for the glory of the Lord.

Knowing what you are good at is valuable. We cannot, nor should we all do the same things. Find what you are good at, what you are passionate about then excel in that area. Learn more about that. Talk to others who do that. Get good at what you are good at. Focus upon your strengths.

Mistakes can be made when we try to force someone into what they are not good at and what their heart is not passionate about. I see that among my grandchildren. Some would like to spend the whole day outdoors. Others, give them a book and a quiet place and they are content to spend hours that way. Give the outdoor person a book and he’ll whine, sigh, and fidget. But put the bookworm outside, and he’ll complain about the bugs, the heat and want to go inside. The way he should go.

Consider:

First, the passage doesn’t say the way that “his parents want him to go,” or more so, “the way dad wants him to go.” Some dads want their child on the mound throwing a baseball. But that child would rather sit behind a piano and play music. Parents have to come to terms that their childhood is over. You have lived it. Let your child develop into the area that they are good at.

I grew up with sports. My wife had a balance of sports and music. We tried to put that balance to our children when they were young. It’s hard to know what your child is good at or likes until you try some different things. Sports? Which one? You may bounce for a few seasons between this sport and that sport to see if your child has a liking for any of them. You may try piano classes to see if there is any interest there. It’s hard. It can be expensive. It takes patience.

Second, whatever direction your child leans towards, a foundation in God is foremost. If he leans towards sports, then he’ll be an athlete that is a good sportsman, who is a gracious loser and a humble winner. If your child leans towards the arts, then he’ll honor the Lord by what he does.

More important than the sports, the arts, the clubs, the travel leagues, is walking with the Lord. As parents, we often forget that God has plans for our children. His plans may not be what our plans are. Learning to stick with something, learning to be honest in what one does, learning to think of others, are life long lessons that will shape the heart of your child.

Third, as a parent we need to teach our children that no matter where they are, they are never really alone, because God is with them. There are times and places, that even as a parent, you are not allowed to be with them. Surgeries. Driving exams. Sitting in classrooms. Going on dates. You won’t be there, but God is. That can help them remember who they are. That can help them have confidence and hope.

There is so much good that your child can do. Through the conviction of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, the heart of the Babylonian king was changed. Through your child, a team can change, a school can change, a friend can change. Don’t underestimate the power of young voices and the conviction of faith.

Some are natural leaders. Help them lead kindly. Some are followers. Help them to discern who to follow. There is a way to go and you are to help them. And, that can become a lifelong endeavor for them.

Roger