19 September | Youth
«But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.» Luke 7:47
They say that in London there is the “street of the ungrateful.” This is not exclusive to the capital of England. I believe that in every city there is at least one street like this. Maybe there is more than one. On these streets, there probably is the house of the ungrateful as well. The question is: Do you live in a house like this?
In Luke 7, we read the story where a sinful woman anoints Jesus, in Simon’s house, the Pharisee. Ellen White links this account to the story of Mary (Matt 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8; The Desire of Ages, p. 558, 559). This indicates that Simon the leper was the same Simon the Pharisee. And the sinful woman was Mary of Bethany.
Jesus had healed Simon, so he decided to throw a party in recognition of Christ. Even cured, he was condemned to live in a bleak house, the house of the ungrateful. When Judas criticized Mary's gift, Simon was influenced and felt ashamed that Mary was in his house. He thought Jesus did not know who she was. Simon thought he was better than her. However, Jesus knew Mary and Simon. Based on this, he told a parable about two men who owed a certain creditor and could not pay. One's debt was immense; the other's was much smaller. Both were pardoned. Which of them will love the generous man more?
The house of the ungrateful is inhabited by people who think that the blessing is not a gift, but a right. For some, the greater the blessing, the greater the merit for obtaining it. People like this forget that God's gifts are the fruit of His grace, which is a gift that we do not deserve.
The correct attitude before God is to recognize the greatness of His love and His infinite mercy. That is the only reason we were reached and forgiven. What we are or have done is not what moved God to forgive and bless us. It is all about grace. When we think of the countless blessings we have received, our hearts should be filled with gratitude. In response to God's gifts, we must offer our best in recognition of His never-ending goodness.