Forgiven Much

A fascinating account of an incident during Jesus' life and ministry is given in Luke 7:36-50. One of the Pharisees asked if Jesus could join him in his home for a meal. Jesus went in and sat at his table. It is important to note that the Pharisees were religious to the max and had a low regard for those who had broken the Law. While Jesus was there, a woman entered the house. She had a reputation but had heard that Jesus was there, and she wanted to be forgiven. She humbly took on the posture of a servant.

The Pharisee immediately judged both the woman and Jesus. A good prophet would rebuke this woman, cast her away, and condemn her. But that was not Jesus' response at all. This woman knew that she had made a mess of her life and she knew that her only hope was to beg for grace and mercy from God.

At this point Jesus spoke of a particular lender who had two debtors. One of the borrowers owed his creditor 50 denarii, and the other owed him 500. Both were unable to repay, and the creditor, in an act of mercy, forgave both of their debts. Jesus' question for the Pharisee, was, "So which of them will love him more?" The Pharisee answered that he supposed it would be the one who was forgiven more. Jesus said that he had judged this correctly, but then he turned His attention toward the woman to help apply his own words to the present situation. The point that Jesus drove home for all who were there to see and hear is given in verse 47. "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."

I thank God every day that those Christians I met when I was a broken college kid remembered that they had been forgiven. So, when I needed it most, and deserved it least, they loved me. Nothing has ever been the same. Maybe this week you'll meet someone exactly like I was. May you remember that you have been forgiven and choose to love.