THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN MUCH, LOVE MUCH
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As Jesus travels through the region of Galilee, teaching and ministering, He is invited to dine one evening at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. When He reclines at the table with the fellow guests, a woman approaches Him.
“And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil.” – Luke 7:37
With kindness in His eyes, Jesus watches as this woman of questionable reputation humbly draws near Him. Many perhaps look in disdain at her, condemning her audacity. Yet our Savior never turns away those on the edge of society. Out of His extravagant love, He welcomes the outcasts, the lepers, the sinful.
The woman kneels at the feet of Jesus with a heart of thankfulness. For her life began anew when she placed her faith in Him. Jesus is the One who makes all things new. By His message, she has turned from her sullied past. By His grace, she has found forgiveness for her sins. How can she express her overflowing gratitude to her Savior?
“At His feet behind Him weeping… she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.” – Luke 7:38
The woman humbles herself before Jesus with a repentant heart. She expresses her sincere devotion by covering His feet with her kisses… an act of true humility. In His gentle presence, her tears fall from her eyes, washing over His feet… tears of sorrow for her past sins… and tears of joy for being with the One to whom she owes her life. She dries away the tears with her tresses.
The woman’s penitent heart has reaped for her an eternal forgiveness. In an act of unfeigned adoration, she anoints Jesus’ feet with oil. This heartfelt act points to His messiahship. For He is the Anointed One, Savior of the world. The One who bore our sins on the cross out of the deepest of love. For His love is infinitely greater than our sins.
“Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, ‘This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.’” – Luke 7:39
Simon appears to not be a believer, showing no empathy for this woman. He doubts that Jesus is even a prophet. For a prophet would never deign to allow such a woman to come near. According to custom, one with a divine calling must remain pure, separate from sinners.
Jesus, in His omniscience, is aware of Simon’s thoughts. He presents this parable to him…
“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.” – Luke 7:41-42
Jesus then poses this question to Simon…
“Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”
…“I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”
…“You have rightly judged.” – Luke 7:42-43
Simon understands the parable, giving Jesus the correct answer. Yet his knowledge of love and forgiveness is of the mind, not the heart. Seeing himself as an upstanding Pharisee, Simon sees little fault in his life. His Jewish religion covers his sin and makes him holy… or so he believes.
In contrast, the woman is quite aware of the depth of her past sins. Jesus is the One who paid her great debt of sin. The grace the moneylender extends to the debtors is analogous to the grace Christ exhibits toward sinners. This woman experienced the vastness of Jesus’ love, mercy and forgiveness. Because she has been forgiven much, she loves much.
“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. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 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
Simon has shown no warmth or hospitality expected of a host in that culture toward his guest. No water was given to wash Jesus’ feet from the dusty roads. No traditional kiss was offered to welcome Him. No oil was presented as a token of honor and respect. Seeing little need for forgiveness in his life, Simon expresses little love.
“Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’” – Luke 7:48
When Jesus tells this humbled woman that her sins are forgiven, He is announcing the forgiveness He has already bestowed upon her. She is a pardoned sinner, accepted with divine redemption… and thus one to be welcomed and not judged. The people murmur among themselves…
“Who is this who even forgives sins?” – Luke 7:49
The Jews believed that only God could forgive sins. Yet Jesus affirms to all that He has the authority to forgive sins. He is more than a prophet. He is proclaiming oneness with the Father. Jesus then commends the woman for her great faith…
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” – Luke 7:50
The woman is justified by her faith… a faith expressed in an act of adoration and gratitude toward Jesus. This bold act is the fruit of her faith. Her past is left behind in the grace of her Savior.
Lord… The depths of the riches of Your love are beyond comprehension. You laid down Your life for us despite our tainted past. You swept away our transgressions like the morning mist. We come to You in humble gratitude for pardoning our debt of sin. We leave our past behind in Your grace and mercy. We bask in the joy of Your forgiveness. Because we have been forgiven much, may we love much. May our lives be an expression of Your abundant love. Amen.
