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I tell you, her sins--and they are many--have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. Luke 7:47, NLT
Let's be real for a second... With all our selfishness, pride, anger, jealousy, backbiting, greed, lust, idolatry, and murderous, adulterous thinking, has any of us really only been "forgiven little"? I'm starting to think the truth of this verse is all a matter of perspective.
There is no one righteous, not even one,
there is no one who understands,
there is no one who seeks God.
All have turned away,
together they have become worthless;
Romans 3:10b-12
There is no one righteous, not even one,
there is no one who understands,
there is no one who seeks God.
All have turned away,
together they have become worthless;
Romans 3:10b-12
According to the Word of God, none of us can say we have been "forgiven little," but sometimes our lives show that's exactly what we believe.
Let's look back at the comparisons made in Luke 7:36-50. Jesus went to dinner at Simon's house, and Simon showed little care for Jesus... no water for His feet, no kiss of greeting, no anointing oil for His head. Even though Simon was a "church-goer," and a religious leader, he wanted to meet with Jesus in his home, eating the meal he provided, with the people he invited to be there... his way, his turf, on his schedule.
What did the sinful woman do in comparison? She sought Jesus out and did not rest until she found Him. She entered a place where she was not invited and humbled herself before Christ in the face of her enemies. She became undignified in throwing herself at His feet. She kissed his feet and anointed them with tears and expensive perfume. She wiped His feet with her hair. She was desperate.
I can imagine how she felt. She wanted everything she had and everything she was to be completely laid-out before the One who would forgive her and save her life. She knew her sin was great, and she was grateful. She would not, could not, rest until all the love she felt for Him was fully expressed, fully spent. Wherever He was, she wanted to be there. Whatever He offered, she wanted to receive. Whatever He said, she wanted to hear.
And what was His response?
He saw her. He forgave her. He loved her. And He spoke the words she so desperately longed to hear... "Your sins are forgiven... Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
We have all been forgiven the same amount: completely. Whether we are murderers and child molesters, or cradle-Christian housewives, we have ALL been forgiven MUCH. When we really humble ourselves before God and see our sin for what it is... the very thing that crucified His Son, Jesus Christ... we will overflow with gratefulness and our hearts will cry out to serve Him above all others!
