When we realize how much God has forgiven us of our sin, it is easy to have an overwhelming sense of gratitude for all He has done. Conversely, when we rely on our own strength for obedience and righteousness we fail to fully see God’s presence in our lives. In today’s reading we clearly see the contrast of the two as a sinful woman overwhelmingly shows Christ her gratitude while the Pharisees feel entitled to being in Christ’s presence. In response to this Jesus says in Luke 7:47, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little love little.” It’s not that the Pharisees were less sinful in God’s eyes, it is that the Pharisees were less sinful in their own eyes. For this reason they failed to fully see God’s necessity in their lives. Let us always remember how much we need God, and therefore, pursue Him even more each day.

Today, as we finish up our 2014 reading plan, we find Jesus appearing to the disciples with His final instructions. I found it interesting that in the beginning of this final chapter in John, Peter went back to what he knew; fishing. It was there that Jesus first found Peter and it is there that Jesus shows Peter that He was the same from before the crucifixion. After an entire fishing trip with nothing to show for it, Jesus commands them to put down their nets on the other side; just like He did when they first met. And like the first time, they experience amazing results. While our circumstances may change, Jesus is the same now as He has ever been. We can count on the stability He brings no matter what this life throws at us. We must all try to remember this as we begin 2015. Happy New Year!!!