Tag: Simon

ONE GOSPEL, MANY RESPONSES

Neal Pollard

The killing of Stephen was the grim harbinger of a new era for the early church, spawned by the actions of the young man introduced to us in Act 7:58. Saul inadvertently helped the church to further its move to do as Jesus foretold, going from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria (Acts 1:8). Ironically, it would be this man Saul who would help Christianity and the Lord’s church go to “the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8; 13:1ff; Rom. 10:18; Col. 1:23). For now, Saul stands opposed to Christ and His people.

Acts 8 gives us the specifics. He “was in hearty agreement with putting [Stephen] to death” (1). That very day a “great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem” (1), scattering it. While they took time to bury Stephen, Saul “began ravaging the church” (3). This was invasive, violent, and life-altering for Christians, but they responded by “preaching the word” (4).

One of the seven men selected to help the church feed the Grecian widows in Acts 6, Philip, “went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them” (5). They paid attention to what he said as they saw the signs he performed (6). His deeds were so remarkable that it brought great joy to the city (8), even a renowned magician, Simon, was among the many believers who believed Philip’s preaching and submitted to baptism (9-13). With so many new disciples in the city, word reached the apostles who sent Peter and John to Samaria to lay hands on them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit (14-17). This caught Simon’s eye, as one widely proclaimed in the city as “the Great Power of God” (10), and he sought to buy this gift (18-19). Peter rebukes Simon, urging him to repent of such wickedness so that he might be forgiven (22). Simon was poisoned and enslaved by his unrighteous desire to have the gift possessed by the apostles to cause faith in the gospel (23-24). 

There is only one message being shared by Philip and the other Christians. It is called “the word” (4), “proclaiming Christ” (5), and “preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ” (12). Yet, there are three distinct responses to that singular gospel. Saul represents one response–hatred, opposition, and violence. Simon represents another–an opportunity to enrich and exalt self. The Samaritans represent yet another–faith, obedience, and rejoicing. It is incredible that this one message could elicit such diverse reactions from different people, but it still happens that way today.

Some are totally turned off by the message, others want to use it for personal means, and still others are deeply convicted by its truth and desire to follow it. Our job is not to judge who is or isn’t worthy recipients; instead, as they did in Acts 8, we are to spread it. It is still God’s power to save believers (Rom. 1:16). We leave that part to Him. Our part is to preach and proclaim it. 

The Profound Power of Forgiveness

Brent Pollard

Recently, I received fantastic news that the Department of Education has wiped out my massive student debt. Like millions of other people, I was still making payments on my student loans. So, my debt wasn’t unique. However, my inability to work due to my disability has made it difficult to make progress toward paying off that debt. I have been participating in the gig economy since 2013, and I must ensure that my assets stay within a specific limit to maintain my health insurance coverage.

When you are on a fixed income, you cannot afford to pay the DOE several hundred dollars monthly. Your loan quickly becomes delinquent. Thus, you can imagine my elation when I recently received an email stating, “The Biden-Harris Administration has forgiven your federal student loan.” My mom joked that the DOE included this information so I would know who to thank in 2024. Whatever the case, her words reminded me of Jesus’ Parable of the Two Debtors. 

And Jesus responded and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “A moneylender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred denarii, and the other, fifty. When they were unable to repay, he canceled the debts of both. So which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I assume the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” (Luke 7.40-43 NASB)

The Humanity of Judgment

Let’s analyze this parable in its original setting of Luke 7.36-50 and draw some conclusions. The action takes place in the house of a Pharisee. During the meal, a woman notorious for her sins comes up to Jesus and offers Him a profoundly loving and humbling gesture. Simon, a Pharisee, interrupts this moving scene because he cannot overlook the woman’s sins. This reaction serves as a sobering reminder that it’s easy to become like Simon—quick to judge and blind to the splendor of the present because we’re stuck in our preconceived notions.

The Parable of Two Debtors 

Knowing that people were passing judgment on the woman, Jesus tells a simple parable. Two debtors, unable to make payments, have their balances wiped clean by their moneylender. Jesus’ question, “Which of them will love him more?” is profound. Gratitude is the topic of this inquiry. It’s about acknowledging our complete dependence on God and the immensity of His grace toward us. If someone fully comprehends the magnitude of their debt, receiving forgiveness can often overwhelm them with emotion.

The Depth of Love

The unidentified woman showed Jesus not only love but also profound comprehension and gratitude. Grace was something she realized she needed. Her tears reveal her sorrow, and her deeds reveal her love. Unlike Simon, who failed to extend basic courtesies, this woman lavished love on Jesus. She did this not because she felt like she should but because she deeply understood who Jesus is and what He offers.

Forgiveness, the Heart of the Gospel

The words Jesus spoke to the woman, “Your sins have been forgiven,” capture the essence of the Gospel and its power. The love of God brings restoration and redemption. Our faith in Jesus enables us to experience transformative forgiveness as a reminder. The guests’ question, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” exemplifies the revolutionary nature of Jesus’ message and mission.

A Call to Love and Recognize

The story concludes with a decisive mandate: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” It’s a call to reckon with our debts, comprehend the immensity of God’s mercy, and respond with profound, genuine, and transformative love.

In Conclusion

Do we love with the same depth and enthusiasm demonstrated by the woman in the Gospel? Or do we hastily pass judgment like Simon? Simon could not recognize the vastness of his debt but was acutely aware of the woman’s transgressions. His narrow perspective caused him to overlook the basic courtesies expected of a host. On the other hand, the woman was mindful of her need for grace, which led her to make a costly sacrifice by anointing Jesus.

Let us pray that Christ’s boundless love and forgiveness reshape us. May we recognize our need for grace and be ever receptive to His love, becoming instruments of His grace for all around us.

The Lost Loved By The Lord

Neal Pollard

The prostitute on the street with a painful past who’s made dreadful decisions. The grownup who’s the product of unbelievable dysfunction and endured issues like abuse, abandonment, alcohol, and anxiety.  The teen who has never been shown true, Christlike love. The religious adherent whose idea of God and the Bible has been filtered through a trusted, but false, teacher. There are endless individuals who fall into the category of “lost” by Scripture (see the parables of Luke 15), even if they would not identify themselves with that word.

A particular challenge for those of us who “inherited” the knowledge of the truth from our homes is to recognize our dependency upon God for salvation. We look at our lives which, though littered with sin and shortcomings, do not have the disarrayed appearance of lives like the ones mentioned above. We’re basically “good.”  It is so easy for us to be like Simon in Luke 7:36ff. We know our Bibles. We invite Jesus along. We are aghast at how lost those lost people are. We cannot fathom that Jesus would want them. Then, we find ourselves as the one who loves little because we think we have little to be forgiven of. We do not serve Him like we should, but we feel pretty safe.

By contrast, the lost often do not become Christians because they feel so unworthy of forgiveness or see their past as insurmountable chains though they long for freedom. They don’t know, but they need to know, that God longs for them and wants them. They have immense value in His eyes, and, if they come to Him, He will say, “Your sins have been forgiven…Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 7:48,50). Whereas pride might be our impediment, guilt is often theirs.

Each of us needs to find the balance between self-righteousness and self-loathing. If we are the Pharisee, we need humility. If we are the sinful woman, we need hope. But for that latter category, who we are in constant contact with, we must embrace and share the message that the Lord longs for them and sees their soul as precious enough to die for. They need to know He already did that as proof of His love (John 3:16; 15:13). Do you know somebody who is lost? Let them know the Lord loves them!

Businessman looking at a map spread out on the hood of a car