In Luke 7, Jesus tells the story of two people who owed a man a large sum of money. In fact, they owed more than they could pay. Jesus says, in 7:42, “But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts” (NLT). The Lord is, of course, describing what he does for us. He does not begrudgingly forgive. He does not partially forgive. The word the NLT translates, “kindly forgave,” is “charizomai,” which is the verb form of the noun “charis,” or “grace.” The forgiveness Jesus offers is free, undeserved, gratuitously given in kindness. His grace received does more than just wipe our record clean. His forgiveness is not just legal justification. He forgives as an extension of his love. He kindly forgives, loving us back into relationship. 

Over the next few weeks - as we focus on how Christ died for us and rose again for us and is seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us - we will walk through the Gospel of Luke, paying particular attention to the great kindness of our Savior. We will do this to honor and adore him. We will do this because his love changes us. 

Jesus uses the story to explain the actions of a woman who is publicly known as a sinner. She interrupts a dinner Jesus is attending, falling at his feet. She is weeping and washing Jesus’ feet with her tears, drying his feet with her hair and anointing his feet with expensive perfume. This is all a scandal to host, who is a religious official. He can’t believe Jesus would allow such a sinner to touch him. But, he is not made unholy by her. She is made holy by him. She is overcome with love and gratitude for him, because of his kindness and mercy. And we pray, by the revelation of the kindness of our Savior, that this will be true for us all as we focus on the kindness of our Savior.