It's your lucky day: not one, but *two* Connect Devotionals to begin with this Tuesday! We hope you enjoy these pieces written by Bella and Jessica.

"Cost of Forgiveness"

Bella Segnere

“…You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:46-50 ESV).

Here’s a link to the entire passage!

For my Spiritual Formation class (aka my Bible class), I am currently reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship. When reading this week’s passage, I thought of the question, “What is the cost of forgiveness?” 

In the passage for this week, a Pharisee invited Jesus to a dinner. When Jesus walked in the door, there was no water to wash His feet, which was normally the custom of the day since people’s feet were typically covered in dirt from walking in sandals all day. It was also custom for people to kiss each other on the cheek as a greeting, and yet, Jesus did not receive that either. He also did not receive anointing with oil. Jesus didn’t have to stay and eat with them after all of this, but he chose to use the opportunity to teach a lesson of forgiveness.

The sinful woman who was at the dinner was, on the other hand, the best example of a hospitable neighbor. Although we are not told what sins she committed beforehand, because the woman welcomed Jesus into her life, washing his feet with her tears, kissing his feet, and anointing his head with oil, she received his forgiveness he brings. Her costly acts of gratitude and love were her response to his gracious gift.  

Now, being an excellent host or hostess doesn’t necessarily mean you will be forgiven for something right away, and the same applies if your neighbor is being hospitable to you. Hospitality is a selfless act that some people are just not willing to do; maybe it takes too much time or money or effort. But being hospitable might show just how much you (or your neighbor) are appreciative of forgiveness (especially the forgiveness that God welcomed us into!). 

Next time you need forgiveness from a neighbor, how could you ask for forgiveness by first being hospitable?

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"Hometown Friends"

Jessica Waldstein

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:48

Here’s a link to the entire passage!

I’m from a small town. You know the kind: the kind where families have lived for generations, neighbors are close, and everyone knows everyone else’s business. When I go back for visits, I run into all sorts of people who know me and my family. “Remember when…” is always part of conversations with these folks in the aisles at church, Walmart, or the local grocery store, whether what is being remembered was a positive or negative experience. Isn’t it funny how hometown friends have the longest memories? :)

Jesus’ stories in our Gospels happen in small-village (small town!) context, which means these stories take place among neighbors who knew each other and each other’s business pretty well. The verses we’re looking at this week find Jesus at a Pharisee’s house for dinner, and present is “a woman in that town who had lived a sinful life” (v36, 37). Everyone in that room knew exactly what this woman had done or was doing to have her life categorized as sinful, including Jesus. As she knelt to anoint Jesus’ feet with perfume and tears (v38), Jesus didn’t shy away from her. He simply received her act of love.

The woman’s actions kept those around her from seeing her value, but Jesus, of course, looked through the mess and saw her heart. Where everyone else was keeping their distance and where everyone else said, “I won’t forget what you’ve done,” Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven.” No ifs, ands, or buts; there were no strings attached, and there was no requirement for the woman to beg or grovel for forgiveness. She was granted forgiveness for her faith.

People are messy! Sometimes we’re the messy ones in need of neighborly care, and sometimes it’s our own long memory that keeps us from being a good neighbor to those around us. Jesus shows us what it means to see people and value them, to give and receive from them. Ask Him to show you a person in your life who needs this kind of neighborly care today.