PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 7:40-50
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:47)
Am I the kind of person who admits or denies my flaws and failures?
This woman had no doubt that her life did not measure up.
Everyone around her told her, and she constantly felt it herself.
She was so low, she could not go any lower.
And yet this is where Jesus meets her, and makes her feel loved.
No one had ever seen her as a real person, or treated her kindly.
But when Jesus saw her, forgave her, helped her, she was overwhelmed.
She was transformed by the love that looked past her shame.
Her expensive business perfume (prostitute) became her gift of love.
For me being a sinner doesn’t mean I’m worthless or terrible.
But it is being honest about the ways I fall short of Jesus-like love.
The Lord knows me better than I know myself, and yet still loves me.
He does not hold my sin against me but receives me despite it.
The more we know how we’re forgiven, the more we respond with love.
PRAYER
Lord, help me to see myself as you see me. Help me to be the kind of sinner that loves you very, very much!
“But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” I might not be a super bad guy – do I have to be real bad to appreciate how much Jesus loves me? No that is so wrong! What is true is that I deserve death – I deserve hell – but through Jesus I don’t get what I deserve but get forgiveness instead. Whether little or much – the penalty is the same – and so is the grace. As a sinner I am dead wrong – whether a very grievous sinner or a ‘small time sinner’ – I’m dead wrong. So I celebrate – and I desire to love much – give much – commit my life – ready to serve – whatever way that Jesus leads me!
How do I see myself? Through my own eyes or through His eyes?
The woman held nothing back. She came to Jesus as she was. She felt unworthy and yet gave all to Jesus. Yet Simon had even answered Jesus question with the words ‘I suppose’ showing that he didn’t get the parable fully. He was a proud man giving the supper and the woman was out of place. Jesus reminds you and me of His love, keeping us in the need of forgiveness that we too can be more forgiving, more accepting, more honest with ourselve to be His instruments of peace.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.