Jesus makes the point very clearly. When a person is forgiven, the result will be love. And the greater the forgiveness, the greater the love.
Simon, a Pharisee, had invited Jesus into his home. But being a Pharisee, he naturally believed that he had his act together. Not much forgiveness was really needed for him. At least, that’s how Simon looked at it. And his love matched that. When Jesus came to his house, Simon was completely unwelcoming.
An unnamed (and apparently uninvited) woman, however, came into Simon’s house while Jesus was there. She broke open a very valuable jar of perfume and poured the perfume onto Jesus’ feet. She washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, and with her hair.
The only difference? The woman was “a woman who had lived a sinful life in the town” (Luke 7:37, NIV).
She was sinful. She knew it. But she trusted that Jesus had great forgiveness for her. Which, in fact, he did. So, as a result of being forgiven, she showed great love to Jesus.
When forgiveness overflows, love overflows.
“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:41-47, NIV).
Our Bible reading for Sunday, March 29, is Numbers 26:12 – 27:11, Luke 7:36-50 and Proverbs 8:12-21.
Lord Jesus, thank you for your forgiveness. You have forgiven me much. Now help me to love you as much as you have first loved me–and forgiven me.
Header image based on "snow whites tears" by L. Whittaker, CC By 2.0
pastorjeffgunn 
Our Bible reading for Sunday, March 29, is Numbers 26:12 – 27:11, Luke 7:36-50 and Proverbs 8:12-21.
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47 NIV)
The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:49-50 NIV)
Heavenly Father, once again you go so far to ensure that your children are taken care of. We are covered with grace as you hold us in your loving arms. We are in need of great forgiveness, because we fail you so often. Is sin truly no match for your love? You tell us it is with faith in Christ. Thank you Lord for forgiveness, thank you Lord for peace. Help me to walk the way of the righteous. Help me stay the path that gives me all your love.
I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me and making their treasuries full. (Proverbs 8:20-21 NIV)
~Paul Montenieri
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