Forgiven much ∙
I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much, but the one who is forgiven little loves little. – Luke 7:47
Luke 7:37-50
37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume.
38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting 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 what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”
40 Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.
41 Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people – 500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other.”
42 “But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”
43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair.”
45 “You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet.”
46 “You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.”
47 “I tell you, her sins – and they are many – have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?”
50 And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Why Be Grateful?
Secular research provides compelling evidence that gratitude is a significant precursor to happiness. As noted by R.C. Soloman in the preface to his book, The Psychology of Gratitude, “Gratitude is one of the most neglected emotions and one of the most underestimated of virtues.”
Gratitude is an acknowledgment and appreciation of what one has. It’s a recognition of intrinsic value. Spontaneously generated from within, it is an affirmation of goodness and warmth. Neurological studies have revealed that expressing gratitude results in lasting changes in the prefrontal cortex, which enhances the brain’s ability to process future experiences of gratitude (Psychology Today).
While gratitude is a spontaneous feeling, research is increasingly showing that it is also a practice, that is, making conscious efforts to count one’s blessings. Studies have confirmed that individuals can intentionally cultivate a sense of gratitude. It is not only an emotion that contributes to happiness but also a mood and a personality trait.
The act of expressing gratitude involves acknowledging positive outcomes and attributing these favorable results to the efforts of someone else (Psychology Today).
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!
There’s never a wrong moment to pause and express gratitude. Moreover, gratitude paves the path towards love as well.
Luke 7:47 “I tell you, her sins – and they are many – have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
What is the prerequisite to be forgiven much? The response may be odious yet true – it requires a considerable amount of sin. Many individuals harbor the belief that when they sin too much, they are beyond redemption and cannot be forgiven. But when one is forgiven much, the result is much gratitude and love. That is the heart of this story.
There are 2 simple correlations.
Little forgiveness => little love
Much forgiveness => much love
The bottom line is that the magnitude of your sin is irrelevant. The Lord Jesus Christ has the power to forgive any sin, no matter how severe. Indeed, the greater the sin, the greater will be your gratitude and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. “It is true to say that the greatest of sins is to be conscious of no sin; but a sense of need will open the door to the forgiveness of God, because God is love, and love’s greatest glory is to be needed” (Barclay).
“As a maxim, the intensity of one’s love tends to be proportionate to his perception of the greatness of his forgiveness” (Constable).
It is noteworthy to observe that the story in Luke 7:36-50 is also recorded in Mark 14:3-4. A similar story is also told in Matthew 26:6- 13 and John 12:1- 8. Another woman, named Mary – sister to Martha and Lazarus, approaches the Lord Jesus Christ, her eyes brimming with tears of joy. They are not the same event. They are two stories that occur at different times in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. They can be distinguished by the varying actions taken, the differing critics involved, and the responses from the Lord Jesus Christ.
REFLECT & PRAY
Children of the King should be aware of how great their sins are. But not fixate upon it and ruminate. However, obsessing over them or dwelling on them is unproductive instead of mentally replaying these transgressions. Instead of mentally replaying these transgressions, we should concentrate on the vastness of our forgiveness. Instead of succumbing to regret, melancholy, and self-criticism, we ought to express copious gratitude and revel in exuberant joy.
Father thank You for forgiving my sin. Thank You for forgiving me and bestowing upon me boundless love and joy.
INSIGHT
When we do not recognize the immensity of our sin and the seriousness of our sinful hearts, it is difficult to experience deep love or forgiveness. Should sin make us joyful? Certainly not, as sin is a cause for sorrow. However, it is the forgiveness of sin that brings us joy. The forgiveness of our most distressing sin often results in extraordinary transformations.
“Those who have been forgiven the most love the most! Some of the greatest sinners have made the greatest saints!” (Hughes).
John Newton had lived a wretched life filled with deplorable actions and unspeakable things before he came to know the Lord Jesus Christ. He composed his epitaph: “‘John Newton, Clerk, once an Infidel and Libertine, a Servant of Slaves in Africa, was, by the Mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Preserved, Restored, Pardoned, and Appointed to Preach the Faith he had so long labored to destroy.’ John Newton never forgot that he was a forgiven sinner; neither did Paul. Neither must we. It does us good to remember our sins; it saves us from spiritual pride” (Barclay).
1 Timothy 1:15-16
15 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them all.
16 But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
No one persecuted the early Christian church more zealously than Saul, and no one preached forgiveness more passionately than Paul. By the grace and mercy of the Father, he was fully forgiven. If the chief of sinners can be forgiven and restored, so can you (Stanley).
Could it be if your love and affection for the Lord Jesus Christ are superficial, that you have not wholly recognized and acknowledged the depth of your own sinfulness and flawed heart? Perhaps you have not experienced complete and total forgiveness.
The Lord Jesus Christ totally paid for our sin debt. What was the cost of our absolution? The price was nothing less than His very own life.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 9-06-1
© Dr. H 2023
Dr H Reflections 