Forgiven Much, Love Much

Forgiven Much, Love Much
Luke 7:36-50
Jesus’ encounters with women ...
John 4:27 And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He talked with a woman; yet no one said, "What do You seek?" or, "Why are You talking with her?"

Jesus’ encounters with women ...
Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire."
Invitation by a Pharisee ...
Luke 7:36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee's house, and sat down to eat.
Invitation by a Pharisee ...
Luke 7:29-30 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.
34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
Normal social customs ...
Water to wash feet of a guest …
Welcoming kiss …
Scented Oil to anoint hair …
Entrance of the Woman
37 And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil,
Her Act of Love ...
38 and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.
Thoughts of Simon ...
39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."
Jesus’ Question for Simon ...
40 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it."
A Simple Story ...
41 "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?"
43 Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."
Acceptance of the woman ...
44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.
Simon’s Failure ...
45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.
See what she has done ...
Simon's Acts
No water to wash feet
No kiss of welcome
No scented olive oil for his guest's hair

The Sinful Woman's Acts
Washed feet with tears, wiped with hair
Kissed feet continually
Poured perfume on his feet

Her Forgiveness ...
47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." 48 Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

Thoughts of listeners ...
49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
Loving Approval ...
50 Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
How does it apply ?
How much do you love Jesus ?
Jesus’ acceptance of people …
Our own tendency to separation …
How does it apply ?
1 John 4:9-10 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Forgiven Much, Love Much
Luke 7:36-50