Forgiven Much ∙∙

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

When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 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.

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!”

Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied. 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.” “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?”

Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said.

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.” “You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet.” “You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.”

“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.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”

The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man that he goes around forgiving sins?” And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The Power of Gratitude: A Pathway to Joy

Secular research provides compelling evidence that gratitude is a significant precursor to happiness. As R.C. Solomon notes in the preface to The Psychology of Gratitude, “Gratitude is one of the most neglected emotions and one of the most underestimated of virtues.” Gratitude is more than a fleeting feeling; it is an acknowledgment and appreciation of what one has, a recognition of intrinsic value. It is a spontaneous affirmation of goodness and warmth.

Psychology Today observes that Neurological Studies reveal that expressing gratitude leads to lasting changes in the prefrontal cortex, enhancing the brain’s ability to process future experiences of gratitude. While it often arises naturally, research shows gratitude can also be cultivated intentionally.

How Can Gratitude Be Intentionally Developed?

Psychology Today suggests that by consciously counting their blessings, individuals can cultivate gratitude as both a mood and a personality trait. The act of expressing gratitude involves recognizing positive outcomes and attributing them to others’ efforts.

Philippians 4:4 advises, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice!”

There is never a wrong moment to pause and express gratitude. Gratitude not only fosters joy but also paves the way for love.

Gratitude and Forgiveness: A Transformative Connection

The Lord Jesus Christ explains in 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 for being forgiven much? The answer, though uncomfortable, is true: it requires a considerable amount of sin.

Many people harbor the erroneous belief that excessive sin places them beyond redemption. But the opposite is true. When one is forgiven much, the result is an outpouring of gratitude and love. This is the heart of the story in Luke 7.

Two simple correlations emerge:

Little forgiveness → little love

Much forgiveness → much love

What if, over a lifetime, we accumulate a vast, overwhelming amount of sin, leading us to believe that forgiveness is unreachable for us? Absolutely not! The total amount of sin is not a barrier to forgiveness. It doesn’t matter.

The Lord Jesus Christ has the power to forgive any sin, no matter how severe. In fact, the greater the sin, the greater the gratitude and love for Him. As William Barclay observes, the most significant transgression may be the failure to recognize one’s own sins; however, acknowledging one’s need can pave the way to divine forgiveness. This is rooted in the essence of God as love, and the truest expression of love is found in being needed by others.

Similarly, Constable notes, “As a maxim, the intensity of one’s love tends to be proportionate to his perception of the greatness of his forgiveness.”

Distinguishing the Stories of Forgiveness

The account in Luke 7:36-50 has a parallel account in Mark 14:3-4,  with similar narratives in Matthew 26:6-13 and John 12:1-8. However, those found in Matthew and John are not the same event. The story in the Gospel of Luke tells of a woman whose actions express profound gratitude for forgiveness. In contrast, the stories in Matthew and John tell a different event involving Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.

Although these stories differ in their details, the people involved, and how the Lord Jesus Christ responds, they both highlight the power of forgiveness and gratitude to change lives.

REFLECT & PRAY

Children of the King should remain aware of the weight of their sins without becoming consumed by them. Dwelling on past mistakes or endlessly replaying them in their minds serves no purpose. Instead, we are encouraged to focus on the enormity of the forgiveness that removes them. Rather than succumbing to regret, sorrow, or self-criticism, we are called to embrace gratitude and celebrate the joy of redemption.

Father, thank You for forgiving my sin. Thank You for showering me with limitless love and joy.

INSIGHT

The Depth of Sin and the Joy of Forgiveness

When we fail to comprehend the depth of our sin and the gravity of our sinful hearts, we struggle to experience the Father’s profound love and forgiveness fully. By its very nature, sin brings sorrow, not joy. However, it is through forgiveness that true joy is found. In fact, when the most troubling sins are forgiven, they result in extraordinary joy.

As Hughes rightly states, “Those who have been forgiven the most love the most! Some of the greatest sinners have made the greatest saints!”

A Story of Redemption: John Newton

John Newton, the author of the hymn Amazing Grace, lived a life marked by deplorable actions and unspeakable deeds before encountering the Lord Jesus Christ. His epitaph reflects his profound understanding of forgiveness:

“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.”

Newton never forgot that he was a forgiven sinner, and this memory shaped his life and ministry. Similarly, the apostle Paul, who once persecuted the early church, never lost sight of the mercy he received. As Barclay notes, “It does us good to remember our sins; it saves us from spiritual pride.”

Paul’s Testimony: The Chief of Sinners

The ApostlePaul recognizes the gravity of his horrid, sinful past. He explains in 1 Timothy 1:15-16:

“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.

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.”

Stanley wisely notes that no one persecuted the early Christian church more passionately than Saul, and no one preached forgiveness more fervently than Paul. By the grace and mercy of the Father, Paul was completely forgiven and transformed. His life serves as a testament to God’s limitless mercy. If the self-proclaimed “chief of sinners” can be forgiven and restored, so can anyone.

The Cost of Forgiveness

The depth of our love and affection for the Lord Jesus Christ is often connected to how well we recognize our own sinfulness. If our love feels shallow, it may be because we haven’t fully acknowledged how flawed our hearts are or experienced the full scope of forgiveness.

What was the cost of our forgiveness? It was nothing less than the death of the Lord Jesus Christ, who paid the ultimate price for our debt of sin. His sacrifice highlights the magnitude of His love and the completeness of His forgiveness.

Gratitude is not merely a feeling but a practice that transforms the heart and mind. When combined with the awareness of forgiveness, it becomes a powerful force for love, joy, and spiritual growth. The greater the forgiveness we receive, the more profound our gratitude, and the greater our love for the One Who forgives.

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© Dr. H 2026