A sinful woman interrupted the meal at a Pharisee’s house to weep and anoint Jesus’ feet with costly oil. Against the protests of his host, Jesus welcomed the woman, forgave her sins, and told her to “go in peace” (Luke 7:36–50). Later, Jesus’ words to his disciples apply to all of us: “If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive. And if the same person sins against you seven times a day, and turns back to you seven times and says, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive” (Luke 17:3–5).
From the Bible study, “Transforming Life and Faith,” by Carol Schersten LaHurd, in the January/February 2015 edition of Gather magazine. Today we remember the Presentation of the Augsburg Confession, 1530; and Philipp Melanchthon, renewer of the church, who died 1560.