Luke 7:36-50

So I have to admit, it has been a while since I read my Bible (maybe 6 months) and a little while since I seriously thought about anything Theological.

I volunteer in the ministry when my health holds up to it, so if I am feeling well, I hear a lot of sermons.

But for some reasons my desire to know God more deeply and follow him more fully has waned in the past few months. Now I know people will say that the Christian life goes in seasons. But that sounds suspiciously like an excuse to me. And I don't like excuses.

So, with that in mind, I heard a sermon not too long ago on Luke 7:36-50. This passage could easily be misinterpreted. Specifically, 47-50. When we look it appears very innocuous...

⁴⁷Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." ⁴⁸And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." ⁴⁹Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" ⁵⁰And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

You would not believe how many times that I have heard that this woman's love (and by extension her actions) are why her sins were forgiven. That she did something that others did not. We know this can not be true (forgiveness of sins is a gift of God and can not be earned by any means), so then what is 47-50 saying? If we look at the whole passage it becomes obvious.

Jesus tells Simon that her sins are forgiven. But note he has not yet said to her "your sins are forgiven", but rather he is telling Simon that they are. How does he know that they are (besides the fact he is Jesus)? Because she loved much! The next statement confirms this. He who is forgiven little, loves little. Then we see the direct refutation of the way that some people attempt to use this verse. "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

This leads me to my questions. If Jesus looked at your life, would he say that you loved little or loved much?

Do you take his words at heart and "go in peace?"

Mike