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Updated: May 2

April 28, 2025 | Read and Think About Luke 18:9-14


Jesus once told a parable where he described a stark contrast between two very different people. One was a Pharisee, a religious legalist.  The other was a tax collector, meaning a cheat and a sinful traitor in that time.  


They were in the same Temple, but far apart.  Their posture was different. The prayers they said were different.  The Pharisee compared himself to other people, feeling superior.  The tax collector compared himself to God’s standard, knowing he needed mercy.


This was the biggest difference, the one that stands out above all others.   The tax collector was aware of his sinful ways and his need for forgiveness. The Pharisee was blind to it.


The tax collector went home different than he had been before.  The Pharisee was no different.


In “A Call to Repent” (week 1), we read that tax collectors were among those who came out to John the Baptist and heard his message of repentance.  This man in Jesus’ parable represents every person, including tax collectors, who turned from their sinful ways to seek forgiveness and follow Jesus – like Matthew the Apostle and later Zaccheus, both of them tax collectors. 


Tax collectors and prostitutes were among those who welcomed the Lord into their hearts.  Their humility and desire to change were the major difference.

Updated: Apr 26

April 26, 2025 | Read and Think About Luke 7:36-50


This story shows exactly what John the Baptist meant when he called a people to repent and prepare their hearts for the Lord's coming.


The home Jesus visited was a fine home, the home of a Pharisee.  They were having a dinner.   Just a regular night, until …


This woman was a prostitute!  The night turned on a dime.  We read all these verbs that describe her actions there:


  • She learned (that Jesus was there)…

  • She came (to the home) …

  • She brought (something of great value to her) …

  • She stood (behind Jesus) …

  • She wept (because she was sorry) …

  • She wet (Jesus’ feet with her tears) …

  • She wiped, she kissed, she poured (these three at the feet of Jesus) …


The perfume she poured out was her stock in trade.  The word “poured” – it has a permanent feel to it.  You cannot put poured perfume back in the jar.  It was gone, and the change was permanent, authentic.


I wonder if the woman had gone out to John the Baptist. Maybe she didn't feel worthy. But she was worthy, and now, clearly, she was prepared for the coming of the Lord! The path suddenly was straight. Whether she had gone out to the wilderness like so many others had or not, I think the lasting influence of John the Baptist was on display here. He was a change agent.


The story is brief, but what a powerful picture the woman presents.  And consider closely what Jesus said to the woman:


Your sins are forgiven.  Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace.”


There is no greater assurance.  Jesus wants every person to have it, and He alone has provided the way.

April 25, 2025 | Read and Think About Mark 2:1-2


John the Baptist was sent “to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord,” which he did through baptism and urging people to repent and seek forgiveness from sin.  Now, months later, the effects of John the Baptist’s preaching are reverberating still.  And Jesus made sin and forgiveness - the pillars of John’s ministry - the major themes of this miraculous healing.


This account makes me think about priorities.  What’s the most important thing?  The very first thing Jesus did or said, as recorded, was to tell the man his sins are forgiven.  Perhaps while John the Baptist was working, no one could carry the paralyzed man the dozens of miles to the wilderness where John had preached.  Have you ever felt you missed out on something extremely important through no fault of your own?  Jesus was assuring the paralyzed man that he was forgiven, and he didn’t miss out.


It leads us to ask, which is more important – earthly health or eternal health.  The man in Mark 2 was paralyzed, unable to go anywhere without the help of friends. Of course he needed physical healing.  Just as I need God’s help, and you need God’s help, when we face loss, injury, hardship, infirmity, and many other kinds of troubles and trials.


The healing of the paralytic reminds us that our eternal need - the need to be forgiven of our sins  – is the most important of all.  In Mark 2, Jesus met both the man’s eternal need and his physical earthly need.  The man was forgiven, and now he also could walk!


I wish I understood why some prayers are answered on this earth, but not all.  I know I’ll think about it as long as I live.  However, my greatest need, your greatest need, is to have our sins forgiven. 


There is no mystery when it comes to how we can be forgiven and assured of going to Heaven.  As we observe the Good News, it is that trusting in Jesus, repenting, and asking Him to forgive our sins brings us salvation and eternal life.

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© 2025 by Observing the Good News. 

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