Forgiveness
“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.” Luke 7:47
Luke 7:36-50 is a record of several powerful images. It starts with an invitation to Jesus to eat with the Pharisees. While there, the sinful woman came to anoint Jesus’ feet with ointment and tears, using her hair to wipe them. Simon the Pharisee condemned her actions. Through the parable of the debtors (7:41-42), Jesus illustrated this woman’s position.
Jesus said, “I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (vv 44-47).
We are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). God’s grace was already given to this woman. By faith, she knew that the Man who sat in the Pharisee’s house was the Son of God. Out of love for Him, she fell before Him to anoint Him. She did not bring Him loads of earthly treasure. The oil may have been costly but it could never be enough to pay for eternal salvation. Rather, she brought a believing heart that fell at the feet of her King.
She loved much, Jesus said. Her love was a fruit of her attachment to the true Vine (John 15:4). Our many sins could not outweigh the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him, they have been forgiven. And so, “We love Him because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) Let us also keep His commandments through that powerful, selfless love of Christ.
Lord Jesus, help us to love as You have loved us. Amen.