"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOD HAVING FORGIVEN YOUR SINS"
Luke 7:48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Some explanatory thoughts, application and prayer:
1. These words were spoken by Jesus to a woman who was known to be a sinner, it's thought that she had been a prostitute.
2. Jesus spoke directly to this woman and told her the good news. "Your sins are forgiven" Earlier, in the previous verse, Jesus spoke about her sins also. Here's what He said. Luke 7:48 “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
3. When Jesus said what He said in 7:48, He was talking to a religious leader named Simon. Simon did not see things the way Jesus did. Just as many people today don't see things the way Jesus does. You and I were perhaps like Simon at one time in our own lives. Tending to be more condemning, then forgiving and compassionate.
4. At any rate, the point here, is not really about Simon, but about Jesus, this woman, her sins, and what Jesus did with them.
He forgave her sins. And, her sins were many. It's hard to imagine what her life was like, but, we can reflect on our own lives, and only imagine the enormity of our own sins. She had many, and every one of them was forgiven by Jesus Christ.
5. The word forgive or forgiven, mean, to leave, to forsake, to let alone. To send away, or depart. The same greek word is used in our english language when speaking of divorce. It's speaks of separation. To disregard.
6. Interesting that those sitting by said, Luke 7:49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” The people were taken aback. The answer to their question of course is God. God is the only one who can forgive sins. And, in this entire section of Luke 7, Jesus was affirming once again that He is God. He is the Messiah. Here are two Scriptures that speak to the fact that He is God
Ps 99:8 You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives, Though You took vengeance on their deeds.
Ps 103:3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
7. Here are some additional verses along this line.
Ps 130:4 But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.
Da 9:9 “To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.
Ac 5:31 “Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
Ac 13:38 “Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
Ac 26:18 ‘to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace
Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
A prayer:
Father, thank You for being the forgiver of our sins. Thank You that You have forgiven our sins by our believing in Jesus Christ.
You are the great forgiver. We are the great sinners. And, Our sins have been forgiven, and they are now gone.
In Jesus name.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
