February 12, 2023
What is a first love?
It’s the first thing you loved; or,
it’s the way you loved at first.
40 And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”
44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 “You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 “You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
Luke 7:40–47 (NASB1995)
The Idea:
First love operates from this principle:
“Forgiven much, loves much. Forgiven little, loves little.”
… but much deeper.
How Christ becomes your first love
I. First, You Are Drawn To It
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28–30 (NASB1995)
II. Then, You Are “Graced” By It
“when they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both”
Luke 7:42
III. Then You Are Transformed In It
44 "Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “ … she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45 “ … but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
46 “ … she anointed My feet with perfume. "
Luke 7:44-46
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