Sincerely,
Seaton Brown

I think it also means being in fellowship with other Christians who can encourage and challenge us (and whom we can encourage and challenge!) in different areas of our lives.

It’s a strange thing to say but it got me wondering if we get jealous of others who seem to be closer to God in their daily walk than ourselves. It’s an absolutely farcical thing to think. I know I have been guilty of it though and at times like this maybe fail to listen to God but try and force myself into God’s presence doing what I feel best.

It makes me realise that before you can respond to Jesus and be called one of his close friends you need to properly listen. There are many ways to do that but these daily readings can be one source if used correctly. What ways do you think we can make sure that we are like the good soil rather than just reading God’s word and failing to respond?

I think you’re absolutely right – Jesus turns to his Father in prayer when he’s been “busy”. He also spends time in prayer just before new challenges, such as beginning a new part of his ministry or most significantly at the cross. Your analagy with sport is fantastic: when I get back from a bike ride I am usually tired, but now that I’m cycling for miles each day it’s amazing how all-round fitter and healthier I feel. Committing to prayer when we’re exhausted seems tough at the time, but if it’s part of a healthy spiritual lifestyle it will lift our spirits!

So I think this woman has had her sins forgiven by trusting in Jesus as her saviour. It’s a bit like Old Testament people: they do not know Jesus, but they are faithful followers. Perhaps she could not articulate a tight doctrine of justification, perhaps she could. But it’s clear she trusts in him.

We can’t forget, though, that the narrative is there as an example of someone who responded extravagantly to Jesus. The few verses we have about her might not tell us everything about her interactions with Jesus, but they act as the headline.

I know that’s not an actual answer, but it’s some thoughts to throw out there!

This may be a semantical question but as you comment Ali in using the hymn When I Survey The Wondrous Cross, the cross is generally where we look for our sins to be forgiven. If this is the case how can Jesus forgive sins before Calvary?

I might well be missing the point completely but is therefore forgiveness and paying the price of sins two separate issues? So Jesus can forgive and open the way to God before dying on the cross but it is the act of dying on the cross which takes the place of cost of our sin. Or do we take it simply that what takes place is outside of a time scale as such.

Be interested in peoples views as this isn’t anything I’ve really noticed before.