One of the practices that has been personally meaningful, as well as an important element of our spiritual leadership training, is engaging the scriptures through Lectio Divina. (We?ve developed a free Lectio Divina resource you can download from our website.)
Read: Luke 7:36-50 NIV
Reading 1
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven?as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.? (Luke 7:47 NIV)
An overflow of love is one of the signs of our awareness of great failing received by great acceptance.
Reading 2
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee?s house and reclined at the table. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ?If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is?that she is a sinner.? Jesus answered him, ?Simon, I have something to tell you.? ?Tell me, teacher,? he said. (Luke 7:36, 39, 40 NIV)
The Pharisee invites Jesus to his home. Why? Does he recognize his authority? Perhaps. But he clearly does not yet understand Jesus' core message of the kingdom. Am I hungry for Jesus, but still in many ways untransformed in relation to His kingdom purposes? I feel saddened by the distance at times between my desire and my character. I feel hungry to more fully reflect the mind, heart and intentions of Jesus.
Reading 3
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven?as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.? (Luke 7:47 NIV)
Her sins aren't forgiven because she loved greatly. She loves greatly because of the scale of Jesus' forgiveness. As always, the cause of this good thing is Jesus. If I forget just how forgiven I am, I may become proud and love may be diminished.
In my EPC today, I feel invited to reflect on my forgiven sins, not for the purpose of shame, guilt or condemnation, but to let rise within me an awareness of the scope and scale of His mercy. I will allow this to stir my love for Him and for others.
Sometimes, I allow a dull awareness of sins without a clear awareness of forgiveness to weigh me down or discourage me. I can instead reflect in the context of his great love, mercy and grace.
