FORGIVEN MUCH OR LITTLE?
LUKE 7:47
LUKE 7:47 NKJ
47 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.”
This verse is from the passage where a Pharisee invites Jesus to eat with him. And Jesus accepts the invitation. While He was eating, a woman comes in with an alabaster box full of fragrant and expensive oil and anoints Jesus with the oil. The Pharisee was repulsed because this particular woman was a sinner. She most likely had an adulterous background, maybe was a prostitute. Either way, her background was not spotless.
Jesus turned the tables on this judgmental Pharisee by asking who would be the most loving and appreciative, one who was forgiven much or one who was forgiven little. The Pharisee, Simon, answered correctly with the one forgiven much. Jesus then contrasted how Simon received Jesus and how this sinner woman treated Him.
It appeared that Simon the Pharisee thought he was doing Jesus a favor by having Him come for a meal. While the woman, who had the bad past, could not honor Jesus enough. One was self-righteous and smug, while the other was humble and honoring.
APPLICATION
Over the years, I have observed as celebrities and upper echelon people have come to Christ. And I have seen the same mistake made over and over. The Christian community makes such a big deal about this "famous" or rich person accepting Jesus. As if their conversion validated Christianity. The problem is it sends the wrong message to the new convert. It sends the message that the Christian world is so lucky to have you. We are to be glad for every heart that turns from darkness to light. Heaven rejoices over every lost person that comes home. But, none of us has done Jesus a favor by believing in Him. If we adopt that attitude, it will negatively affect our commitment level. All of us have been forgiven of a debt that we could never repay on our own. All of us have been forgiven much regardless if our background is boardroom or brothel. And when we humbly accept that we been forgiven much, it paves the way for us to love much.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for paying such a high price for me, the blood of Your Son. I acknowledge I am freed from a debt I could have never repaid on my own. I have been forgiven much, and I love You very much.