Over the years I’ve heard people talk about the patience of Job. When you think about it, not minimizing anyone else’s suffering, but Job suffered possibly more than any other Bible character except Jesus. That’s a lot of suffering!
To say the least, I have never wanted the patience of Job ~ or at least the suffering that helped him grow in it.
But patience? Yes. Every one of us should strive for patience. With circumstances? Yes. With people? Even more.
Patience Is Born Out of Love
While Jesus had supper with a Pharisee, a woman came and anointed His feet. The Pharisee was not patient in any stretch of the term with whom he called a sinner. As Jesus engaged Simon the Pharisee he told a parable of two men who owed money and both could not repay the lender. One was forgiven 50 day’s wages (denarii); another was forgiven 500 day’s wages. Jesus asks Simon which of the two men would love more. Simon correctly guesses the one forgiven 500 denarii.
Notice what Jesus says:
44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” (Luke 7:44-47)
Jesus makes it clear: she loved much because she had been forgiven much.
Patience follows our love
The unloving and impatient Pharisee failed to love her well because he lost sight of his own need for forgiveness. We will do the same if we are not careful.
If you find that you are struggling being patient with someone, then go back and remind yourself of your own sinfulness, need of forgiveness, and the love Jesus Christ has for you. When you do, you will remember that you are forgiven much. As you do, you will find you grow in patience as well.
Today and this week when you are low on patience? Remember the forgiveness you received in Christ.
Hear the full story as I told it at Sonrise yesterday:
