Forgiveness: A Blessing to Share
But he who is forgiven little, loves little. (Luke 7:47b)
Read: Luke 7:36-40; Acts 5:31; Eph.1:7; I Tim. 1:15
What Is God Saying?
This is a passage of striking contrasts. Here was a meeting of people who were on the opposite ends of society's scale of respectability: a proud and self-righteous Pharisee vis-a-vis a humble, forgiven, and grateful woman with a shady reputation. Having received a new life from Jesus, she couldn't do enough to show her love for Him and her gratitude to Him. The alabaster flask was perhaps her most prized possession, and the ointment was not cheap. She displayed her extravagant love in a way that the rigidly correct Pharisee found offensive. Was he sorry he invited this popular young rabbi? He muttered to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of a woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.’ He may have gone on in this sotto voce monologue, ‘Why did I invite him? If he were the real thing, he would not have permitted this disgraceful scene.’
Simon, said Jesus, using his name to be sure he would get the message. Then he told the story of the two debtors who were both forgiven their debts. The difference was great-500 to 1. Quite a difference! Of course, Simon had to agree that the one who was forgiven the larger debt would love the creditor more. The conclusion was self-evident. The woman forgiven her many sins was showing her great love. The Pharisee, who felt little need for forgiveness in his eminently correct life, felt little need to love. He was himself a case in point.
How Does This Apply To Us?
We cannot pray effectively if we are carrying in our hearts a burden of unforgiven sin, but when we realize how much God has forgiven us, how much He wants to set us free, how many great compensations He wants to give us instead of our idols, then our hearts run over with love. It comes naturally as we simply respond to ‘Love so amazing, so divine’ that ‘demands our souls, our lives, our all.’ Forgiven much, we have great reason to love.
Pray With Me
Forgiven! O God, it has been called the most beautiful word in our language. I know it is the greatest word in my heart, the strongest support for my spirit, the deepest well of my joy. God of all truth and mercy, I am forgiven much-not once but often; not partially but completely; not by careful accounting but by lavish generosity; not according to my merits but according to Your mercy. Now, Lord, forgiven so much and loved so greatly, I would not miss the next step. If little forgiveness brings forth little love, great forgiveness will bring forth great love. Forgiveness and love are like weights that bring a scale into balance-a heavy weight on one side calls for a heavy weight on the other side.
As Your love for me has issued in forgiveness, so ought my love for You find expression in the forgiveness of others and myself. Forgiveness and love are inseparable. This nameless woman broke her alabaster flask and poured out its priceless contents as a symbol of her great love. It was a response to Your great forgiveness. May I count no point of pride too expensive, no secret ambition too dear in value, no spirit of revenge too close to my heart to be gladly and freely sacrificed. Forgiven and loved, may I be forgiving and loving.
Forgive me, Lord, that my love, being so often so little, appears to say that I have not been forgiven so often and so much. Let my love begin to match Your forgiveness. At least, Lord, let it try.
In the name of Him whose forgiving love was, is, and ever shall be inexhaustible. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Forgiven much and loving much are pillars that hold up our prayers, and these are the reasons we can hold on in prayer. If we remember how much we have been forgiven, we will be less likely to forget how much we are loved and ought to love. Can we have a stronger base for prayer, a greater reason to pray, and receive greater blessings in prayer than the awareness of these inseparable gifts-forgiveness and love?
