More is More
By Jen Wollner
“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - - for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
Luke 7:47 (NIV)
By Jen Wollner
“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven - - for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
Luke 7:47 (NIV)
This
isn’t just an ordinary woman…she has a “reputation.” Everyone in the room knows
about her sinful ways. They all look on as the woman stands behind Jesus,
weeping uncontrollably. Her tears fall, wetting his feet. As she cries, she
crouches down and wipes his feet with her hair, kissing them and pouring
expensive perfume on them. She is judged, criticized and looked down on…but
Jesus honors her faith and commends her actions of love.
When I first read the story about this “sinful” woman and her worship of Jesus, I misunderstood it to mean that if a person sins more, Jesus forgives more; and if a person sins less, He has less to forgive. As I studied it further, though, I realized that the point of the story wasn’t that the woman sinned more than others or that her sin was somehow worse in Jesus’ eyes, but rather that she recognized her sin more completely. Consequently, she was more aware of the deep mercy Jesus had for her. She treasured His forgiveness because she had an accurate view of her sin. She was overcome with gratitude for His love that was freely offered to her, in spite of her shortcomings and poor choices. Because of the love He lavished on her, she was able to reciprocate and love Him in an extravagant way, sparing no expense to worship Him as He deserved. Her actions spoke volumes about her faith and love for her Savior.
What about us? Is our view of our sin realistic based on the truths of God’s Word? Do we love much because we recognize how much we are forgiven and loved by Jesus? We can’t appreciate the mercy Jesus offers unless we recognize our dire need for that mercy. We can’t accept Jesus’ grace and forgiveness if we don’t acknowledge that a Savior is absolutely essential. And we can’t reciprocate Jesus’ love for us, much less show that love to others, if we don’t confess and repent of our mistakes, humbling ourselves at the foot of the cross. Only when we know what we are saved from, do we overflow with love for our Savior.
As Easter approaches and we reflect on the sacrifice of our Lord, let’s allow the truth of His forgiveness to wash over us and fill our souls. Then, let’s pour our whole hearts out to Him and love Him abundantly and unrestrained.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you ever taken time to truly contemplate the depths of your sin…and the depths of Jesus’ forgiveness and love? Meditate on this two-part reality throughout the day today.
FURTHER READING:
John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 1:7-8; 1 John 3:1a
When I first read the story about this “sinful” woman and her worship of Jesus, I misunderstood it to mean that if a person sins more, Jesus forgives more; and if a person sins less, He has less to forgive. As I studied it further, though, I realized that the point of the story wasn’t that the woman sinned more than others or that her sin was somehow worse in Jesus’ eyes, but rather that she recognized her sin more completely. Consequently, she was more aware of the deep mercy Jesus had for her. She treasured His forgiveness because she had an accurate view of her sin. She was overcome with gratitude for His love that was freely offered to her, in spite of her shortcomings and poor choices. Because of the love He lavished on her, she was able to reciprocate and love Him in an extravagant way, sparing no expense to worship Him as He deserved. Her actions spoke volumes about her faith and love for her Savior.
What about us? Is our view of our sin realistic based on the truths of God’s Word? Do we love much because we recognize how much we are forgiven and loved by Jesus? We can’t appreciate the mercy Jesus offers unless we recognize our dire need for that mercy. We can’t accept Jesus’ grace and forgiveness if we don’t acknowledge that a Savior is absolutely essential. And we can’t reciprocate Jesus’ love for us, much less show that love to others, if we don’t confess and repent of our mistakes, humbling ourselves at the foot of the cross. Only when we know what we are saved from, do we overflow with love for our Savior.
As Easter approaches and we reflect on the sacrifice of our Lord, let’s allow the truth of His forgiveness to wash over us and fill our souls. Then, let’s pour our whole hearts out to Him and love Him abundantly and unrestrained.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Have you ever taken time to truly contemplate the depths of your sin…and the depths of Jesus’ forgiveness and love? Meditate on this two-part reality throughout the day today.
FURTHER READING:
John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 1:7-8; 1 John 3:1a
Jen and her husband are busily parenting three teenagers. She
serves Oakwood in various Children's Ministry and Women's Ministry roles as
needs arise.
