by Michael Duduit The Power of Forgiveness

You've heard the story: three blind men were allowed to grab hold of an elephant, then each was asked to describe the animal. The one who held the tail said, "An elephant is like a rope." The second, who grabbed hold of a leg, exclaimed, "An elephant is like a great tree." The third, who held tight to the trunk, asserted, "An elephant is like a giant snake."

Perspectives vary, don't they? Five people can see the same accident occur, yet you may have five different descriptions of the same event, each varying depending on the perspective of the viewer. But suppose that your life depended on accurately relating an event or situation. Then your perspective would be enormously important.

In Luke 7:36-8:3, Jesus had been invited to dinner by a Pharisee, a leader in his society. Some Pharisees attacked Him as a dangerous maverick, but there were others who were fascinated by Him and wanted to know more. Could it be that Jesus' host this evening was a member of the latter group? He invited Jesus to dinner, perhaps to learn more about this strange and compelling preacher. Perhaps his motives were not so innocent.

We don't know how many others may have been in attendance, but at least one non-invited guest was present. There is a woman whose evil reputation was known to this Pharisee — we don't know how he was aware of the reputation, but he clearly recognized her as a woman not normally invited to proper homes and social functions. Her lack of invitation, however, didn't seem to distract her from attending this unique gathering.

The two main characters in this story — the Pharisee and the woman — represent two very different perspectives, or ways of looking at Jesus. And as the Lord will point out, only one perspective results in salvation. From which perspective do you see Jesus?

We Can See Jesus From the Perspective of Judgment

Simon the Pharisee has invited Jesus to dinner, but we can immediately question his motives. It seems that the common courtesies expected of a host in that culture had not been observed. Perhaps Simon has invited Jesus to dinner less to get to know Him than as a matter of curiosity or even cynicism. Maybe he had invited some of his friends to join the dinner party, and they would take advantage of the opportunity to poke fun at this itinerant preacher.

The arrival of this woman of ill-repute is a surprise; such women are not invited to the homes of Pharisees. The greater shock is Jesus' reaction to this woman, who has begun anointing his feet with oil mixed with her own tears. He just sits there and lets this evil woman touch Him! If this man was a prophet, he would know what kind of woman she was and would condemn her — or at least insist she leave him alone! Whatever the motive Simon had at the beginning of the dinner, he is now filled with indignation, with anger, with judgment. Doesn't He know what kind of woman she is?

Jesus not only knows what kind of woman she is; He also knows what kind of man Simon is. Simon is self-righteous — the kind of person who insists on removing the speck from his brother's eye while carrying a log in his own eye! He did not sense his own sinfulness, so he could not understand his own need for forgiveness.

When we view others through eyes of judgment, we place ourselves under judgment. How tragic that Simon had Jesus in his own home, and instead of seeking God's love and forgiveness, concentrated on the unworthiness of another.

Could it be that you and I have done the same thing — neglecting God's presence and will in our own lives, while we concentrate on the sin and impurity of others? That is a perspective that leads to frustration and destruction, but not salvation.

We Can See Jesus From the Perspective of Gratitude

The woman is oblivious to Simon and everyone else in the room. For her, there is only Jesus there. Her acts of gratitude and adoration — anointing His feet with oil and her own tears, drying them with her own hair — reflect a transformed heart and life. Something had already happened in her life before that moment: she had heard Jesus teach, and somehow God had broken through a heart made cold and hard by sin, and brought the renewing warmth of divine love.

What do you do to someone who has saved your life? This woman, who had been so used and abused by other men, only knew that she had to express her thankfulness to the One whose love and truth had transformed her forever.

Jesus used a parable to help Simon understand the power of forgiveness. The one who has experienced God's forgiveness in a powerful way will inevitably respond with overwhelming thankfulness. On the other hand, the one who has experienced little forgiveness — not because of little sin, but because of unwillingness to acknowledge sin — that person will not demonstrate a grateful heart.

Do we demonstrate grateful hearts? Are we allowing God to use our lives to show His love to others? Are we serving Christ by using our leadership gifts to help others who are in need? What's our perspective?

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Michael Duduit is President/CEO of American Ministry Resources LLC, and editor of LeaderLinks. You can contact him at michael@leaderlinks.com.