FORGIVENESS AND LOVE

Luke 7:36-50 / Keywords 7:47

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.

 

Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman

7:36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”

40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 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?”

43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

44 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. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Footnotes

c. Luke 7:41 A denarius was the usual daily wage of a day laborer (see Matt. 20:2).

1. There was a woman who lived a sinful life and was labeled a sinful woman by her community. She was considered unclean by the religious leaders, not even acceptable to God. She lived in shame and deep sorrow--until she met Jesus. Jesus accepted her with the grace of God. Jesus forgave her sins and released her from her shame, renewing her dignity and sense of belonging.

2. Forgiveness leads to a life of love. Love is not too different from forgiveness. It is accepting someone for who they are, mistakes and all. Love forgives, love heals, love shows affection. The woman loved Jesus with great affection, washing Jesus’ dirty feet with her tears of joy, thanksgiving, and gratitude and wiping it with her hair. She poured expensive perfume on them as well. In other gospels, Jesus called such acts of love beautiful (Mt 26:10). Jesus also washed his disciples’ feet.

3. God loves us as we are, despite our mistakes. God’s forgiveness leads to healing and renewal of soul. When we experience God’s love, we become defined by his love and mercy and not by our worst mistake.

Prayer Lord, your love and forgiveness strengthens me to live a life of love and wholeness. Help me to see others as you see me.

One Word Go in peace