“Forgiven Much, Loves Much” Women in the Bible pt 6: Actions of a Sinful Woman

Have you heard the story of the woman who wept at the feet of Jesus, pouring out her most expensive perfume on Him? This story came to my mind today when I was spending my quiet time with God, so I opened up my Bible and found this section in the Book of Luke, under the title, “Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman.”

The title, itself, was a bit perplexing to me because when I think of this story, I don’t think of a “sinful” woman; I think of the beauty in this woman’s actions. I’ve always thought of this woman as someone who deeply loved Jesus because of the way the Bible says that she showed it. With this in mind, I reread the story to refamiliarize myself with it, and I wanted to share with you what stood out to me: “Forgiven little, loves little,” or in other words, “forgiven much, loves much.”

The Bible says that “When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them” (Luke 7:37-38 NIV).

There is something that this woman knew. She intentionally went to the Pharisee’s house with her most expensive bottle of perfume because she knew who she was---everything she had ever said and done, everything she felt guilty and ashamed of---and she knew who Jesus was; it was this knowledge that brought her to her knees, weeping at His feet. She poured out all that she had…her tears, her kisses, her bottle of perfume…onto the lowest, dirtiest part of His Being because she knew, “He was sent here to love and to save a wretch like me.”

The Bible says that “When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching Him and what kind of woman she is---that she is a sinner’” (Luke 7:39). The Pharisee believed that this woman’s sins should disqualify her from touching Jesus, and the fact that Jesus even allowed “a sinner” like her to touch Him made the Pharisee question who Jesus was.

He doubted the identity of Jesus because of who He allowed into His Presence. He thought, “Certainly, a prophet wouldn’t be in the company of sinners.”

The Pharisee said these things to himself, and yet the Bible says that “Jesus answered him” (Luke 7:39-40 NIV). Jesus didn’t address or respond to the thoughts, words, or actions of everyone, so I must believe that this was an important subject that Jesus wanted to address.

Jesus said, “‘Simon, I have something to tell you.’ ‘Tell me, teacher,’ he said. ‘Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.’ ‘You have judged correctly,’ Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven---for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.’” (Luke 7:40-47 NIV). The Pharisee believed that the magnitude of this woman’s sins should prohibit her from being close to, touching, weeping over, and kissing the Feet of Jesus, but Jesus said that it was because of her great debt that she loved him that much more.

So often, we, as people, disqualify ourselves, and others,from being close to Jesus because of our sins, when our sin is the very thing that should bring us to the Feet of the Father. It’s not Jesus who turns us away because of our sin; it’s the people who are just as broken as we are, judging our differences. Jesus isn’t turning you away. Instead, He is saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV). He is saying, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17 NIV). Others may think that you are too far gone or that your sin is too great, you may even think this about yourself (I know I have felt too messed up to fix plenty of times throughout my life), but it’s the sick who need a physician and the broken who need a carpenter. Jesus happens to be both.

“Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven’” (Luke 7:48 NIV). “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:50 NIV). I wanted to take this time to remind you that there is nothing so great that you could ever say or do that disqualifies you from the love and forgiveness of God. In fact, this story lets me know that everything that you believe disqualifies you will only cause you to love Him that much more! Are you sick? Are you hurting? Do you feel broken? Are you weary, burdened, and don’t know what to do? Perfect. God came just for YOU. Like this woman in the Bible, when everything is said and done, you will not be remembered for your sin (people won’t even remember that part of your story); You will be remembered for your loving actions produced out of the great love that Your Heavenly Father has for you.

ABBA, I thank You for being the One we can turn to. I thank You that there is nothing and no one beyond Your Abilities. The hardest heart is soft and pliable in Your Mighty Hands. There is no mountain You can’t move, no sickness You can’t heal, no battle You can’t win. You are the Most High. There is NOTHING You can’t do. You do not turn us away. You welcome all that turn to You, and You desire that we all do. Open our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts to You. Help us to see You for You. Help us to see and know You as You are, to know You are Good, to know You are Love, to know You are our Savior and Defender, and You long to be close to us. I pray that we would all come into the realization and understanding of who You are and the Great & Awesome love You have for us. Nothing can separate us from Your Love, God. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

Hebrews 8:12 (KJV)

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

Psalms 103:12 (NIV)

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Luke 15:3-7 (NIV)

“Then Jesus told them this parable: ‘Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.’”

“East to West” by Casting Crowns https://youtu.be/TnkkZLdjf9Y

“Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury https://youtu.be/Sc6SSHuZvQE

“As You Find Me” by Hillsong United https://youtu.be/jHzEgcoGwnQ

Written by Crystal Bryan.