Love much? or little?
Scripture reading for March 12: Luke 7
“Then turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven–for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” And He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”” Luke 7:44-48
Jesus had been invited to the house of a Pharisee and was reclining at table with him. As He was seated, a woman of the city entered the house and knelt down at Jesus’ feet and began to wet Jesus’ feet with her tears and wipe the dust off with her hair. She kissed His feet and anointed them from the alabaster flask of oil. The Pharisee was observing and judging Jesus in his own heart. He reasoned that if Jesus was a prophet, He should know what kind of a sinful woman this was. The real question was how did this religious leader know! Jesus told him a short story about two debtors who had been forgiven a small and a large amount. Jesus asked him which one would love the man who forgave them more? He responded logically, the one being forgiven the most debt.
Jesus then applied the story to this sinful woman and her attitude and actions, comparing them with the Pharisee who had invited Him to dinner. Jesus liked to use stories that helps us see our own sins and sinful attitudes that are hidden by pride. We read or hear the story, and the story reads us. The bottom line here is that all of us are in need of great mercy and forgiveness. Until we can humble ourselves like this sinful woman and appeal to Jesus for mercy, we will not be forgiven. If we are not forgiven, we cannot love God or His Son in return. He who has been forgiven much, loves much! If our world view is centered on judging others, we can not love them or God!
Have you ever judged someone else as not worthy to be around Jesus or God’s people based on their reputation, dress, or attitude? In what ways did the woman show her humility and thankfulness for Jesus? If you have received Christ’s forgiveness for great sin, what could you do to show your love?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for demonstrating Your love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Lord, help me to understand how much I have been forgiven of and increase my love for You and for those You died for. Forgive me for judging others and not showing Your love and mercy. Amen.
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