Jesus paid it all, anything else is just religious works of fallen man.
We saw yesterday that Jesus made a distinction between the degree of Love shown by a wealthy Pharisee, who entertained Jesus and others, and a sinful woman who wept and anointed His feet.
47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—FOR SHE LOVED MUCH. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Luke 7
Simon the Pharisee, judged the unknown woman and the Lord, based on his perceived self-righteousness. He didn’t see himself as truly sinful and that’s why it’s so difficult for many religious people, even today, to come to faith in Christ.
The sinful woman knew her position clearly, as did those around her and threw herself on Christ’s mercy. She had no self-righteousness of her own, she was totally dependent on the Lord’s mercy. Her position was much closer to that of Isaiah when he was taken into heaven before the throne of God;
5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” Isaiah 6
Another parable of Jesus to a ‘lawyer’ reveals a similar encounter.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 10
The lawyer knew what was written in the Law, ‘Love the Lord’ and ‘Love your neighbour’, but when the Lord told him to do these things he felt compelled to ask a further question.
29 BUT HE WANTED TO JUSTIFY HIMSELF, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” Luke 10
He wanted to ‘Justify Himself’, another telling remark. The expert in the Law also believed he was good enough in himself.
A prophet we are privileged to know often says (paraphrasing), ‘REPENTANCE IS THE ONLY VALID CURRENCY IN THE REALM OF THE SPIRIT’. Veronika West
God always has more, but we may have to release and leave behind some things to find our next steps with the Lord. This may be a good time to release the things of self which block our progressing into that which God still has ahead for us.
God bless and keep you at this Easter time.