"but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." Luke 7:47
Luke 7:36-50"And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat.And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."
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"What was it that broke her heart? What was it that won her heart? Was it not that she saw her life, with all its sins, in the presence of His heart with all its love and grace? She discovered that His grace was greater than her sins, and that though He knew the worst about her, yet He loved her, and did not drive her away or utter one word of reproach. She could hold out against the scorn of men, and the sneers of the Pharisee, but such love as this broke her heart. It is not the badness of man, but the goodness of God that leads to repentance (Rom. 2:4).
Having broken her heart by His grace He binds up her heart with His words of love, for, He says,
"Thy sins are forgiven . . . thy faith has saved thee; go in peace" (Vv. 48-50).
The way of this brokenhearted woman is still the way of blessing for any poor sinner."
Hamilton Smith
Photo is of the painting 'Forgiven Much' by Keith Johnson
