Our scripture this morning is Luke 7:47-50 (NLT).
“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.”
Jesus sees us differently than the world sees us. We need to read the whole story found in Luke 7:36-50 to better understand this passage. It speaks to us of forgiveness and love for the One who has saved us. It also gives us an example to follow.
Jesus is invited to dinner at the home of the Pharisee Simon. While there, a “fallen woman” as some translate it, shows her love for Jesus by washing His feet and anointing them with perfume. Others are aghast that Jesus would permit this, but He teaches a lesson about love and forgiveness that they will understand.
We may see ourselves as one of the fallen, weeping as we come to Him in repentance. This is true, as we hear in Romans 3:23 – “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” However, we must also see ourselves as the guests who do not understand what this woman’s actions mean to her. No one is below Christ’s love and no one is above His commandment to love one another. As Jesus says, “your faith has saved you”.
Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus as our savior and model. Help us to leave behind the brokenness of our sin and rejoice in the new life You offer us all. Amen.
