THURSDAY- 24^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 7:36-50: Her many sins must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love.

I Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-15: I preached and you believed.

Jesus Contrasts the Attitudes of the Repentant and Self-Righteousness, 7:36-50

The present passage contrasts the attitudes of the sinful (repentant) and the self-righteous. Self-righteousness is a serious sin. It is both common and damning.

1. Simon, a Pharisee, invited Jesus to dinner and Jesus accepted (v.36)

2. The attitude of the repentant: A woman prostitute (v.37-38)

a. She sensed a desperate need

b. She approached the Lord despite all

c. She surrendered to the Lord in utter humility

d. She loved much giving her most precious possession

3. The attitude of the self-righteous (v.39)

a. He was a considerate man, but self-righteous

b. He considered himself better than others

c. He sensed no need for forgiveness

4. The two attitudes illustrated: The parable of two debtors (v.40-43)

a. One debtor owed much; the other little

b. A free forgiveness of both debtors

c. A piercing question: who appreciated and loved the most?

d. A begrudging answer

5. The need of the self-righteous: To really see Jesus, who the repentant say He is (v.44-50)

a. He is the one who deserves more than common courtesies

1) common vs. worshipful respect

2) common vs. humble greeting

3) common vs. sacrificial gift

b. He is the One who has the power to forgive sins

c. He is the One who people need to  ask about

d. He is the One who saves the repentant

Thought: The person who comes to Jesus Christ must come with a broken and contrite heart.

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