She Loved Much

Forgiven

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much.

Are you having feelings of guilt or shame because of your past? Do you feel like your future is limited because of your past choices?

There is an account in the Bible that clearly reveals God’s heart on this matter. It is found in the seventh chapter of the book of Luke.
 
Jesus is invited to eat at the home of Simon, a Pharisee. Simon doesn’t know it, but he is about to get an invitation too. An invitation to see into the heart of God.
 
Jesus enters Simon’s house and reclines at the table. A woman not invited to dine with them finds out Jesus is there. She enters the room and stands behind Jesus, weeping. Tears stream from the woman’s face onto Jesus’ feet. She kneels down and wipes his feet with her hair and anoints his feet with ointment. Repeatedly kissing His feet.
 
Luke records this woman as one known to be a sinner, a “woman of the city.” According to this passage Simon thinks that if Jesus knew what sort of woman she was, then He wouldn’t allow her to touch Him. 
 

But Jesus knew very well the woman touching Him and her history. We know this by His response. Jesus reveals His heart to Simon in a parable. Her deep devotion came out of a realization of her need for Jesus. Recognition of her need for forgiveness.

The Pharisee’s response to Jesus coming into his house contrasts sharply with that of the woman.

“Do you see this woman? I entered your house you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

Jesus had no problem letting this woman minister to Him. She wiped his feet and He wiped her entire history clean.

He is more concerned about our devotion than our past.

When Jesus overheard the scribes asking Jesus’ disciples why He was eating with tax collectors and sinners,  Jesus’ reply was simple: It is not the well who are in need of a physician, but the sick. And He continues, “I came to call the sinners.” Mark 2:16-17

Without Jesus we’re all sick.

God isn’t looking for people with perfect pasts, or even pretty ones. He came for the sick, for sinners. He is looking for those who are willing to recognize that without Him, they are spiritually helpless.

‘Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

‘Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, lov

Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

Matthew 5:3 GWT

This woman recognized her need for a physician. Not just any physician—but the only physician that could make her well. She recognized her helplessness without Him. This awareness that she carried incited her absolute devotion to Jesus.

Jesus offers a clean slate. An absolutely clean slate. You don’t have to be limited by your past failures. If your sins have been many, and you come to Him, you will have the heart to love Him much.

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