We left yesterday’s devotion with Jesus telling Simon a parable. This moneylender realized that both men were delinquent in their payment because both “had nothing to pay.” Instead of making their lives even more miserable, in an unprecedented act of amazing grace, he “frankly forgave them both.” Neither had to repay a dime. Both debts were simultaneously canceled.

Jesus then asked Simon a logical question. “Tell me,” he says, “which of them will love him most?” What do you think? Imagine if you owed the bank $100,000 and your neighbor owned only $10,000 and your generous banker wrote off both notes? Which of you would be more grateful? 

Simon was arrogant but he was not stupid. He said (can’t you just hear the sigh in his voice?), “I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.” Jesus responded, “Thou hast rightly judged.” In other words, “Simon, now you are on the right track.” 

Do not miss Luke 7:44. Jesus “turned to the woman” but “said unto Simon.” He was looking at her but speaking to him. He said, “Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.” 

Ouch, what a rebuke to Simon and to each one of us. Oftentimes we forget the object of our worship. It should always be Jesus!