The one who has been forgiven much loves much

theological

This morning I want to share another of my favourite passages in the whole Bible. It shows love, forgiveness and grace in respect to sin. I hope it can help us see the goodness of the Christian response to sin.

Luke 7:36-50 wrote:

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

"A certain money-lender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning towards 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.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Jesus is eating with the Pharisees and a woman comes to weep at Jesus' feet. We're not told much about the woman apart from that he was a woman of the city and a sinner.

The Pharisee who invited him was repulsed by the sight of Jesus not sending this woman away. In his mind - what's the point letting sinners into your company?

Jesus tells the parable of the debt to show that the one who has been forgiven more. The Pharisees wonder at his statement that He can forgive sins.

Saying that He forgives her sins implies that they are not good and needs to be forgiven. Claiming that her sin is good when it is destructive is also not loving.

Question for all:
Are we often hard hearted towards others? How can we change this?

Question for Christians:
Do you think Jesus is sufficient for the forgiveness of sins, why or why not?

Questions for Non-Christians:
Can you see the beauty in this encounter, why or why not?

Do you see that it is better to call someone away from sin rather than encouraging them to persist in it?