Loving Jesus More
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. Luke 7:36-47 (KJV)
Jesus was invited to eat at the house of a prominent religious leader. However, the prestigious gathering was interrupted by a woman of questionable reputation, which clearly irritated the Pharisee. On the other hand, Jesus was not bothered in the least. She broke in on them and began to cry and weep on the feet of Jesus. She anointed His feet with costly perfume and wiped them with her hair. She even kissed His feet. Wow, what love and devotion she showed!
Why was she expressing such love for Jesus, even more than the Pharisee? Jesus explained it by asking the Pharisee a question about two people who were indebted to someone. It was determined that the person who was forgiven the bigger debt loved the forgiver more.
Jesus pointed out to the Pharisee that he had not given Jesus even the courtesy of cleaning His feet, which was customary when having a guest in your home. The lady had cleaned them with her tears, wiped them with her hair and anointed them with something that cost her greatly. Her demonstration of love was noticeably greater.
Why do some love Jesus more than others? Verse 47 carries the answer.
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. Luke 7:47 (KJV)
When we have an awareness and can comprehend how much we have all been forgiven by Christ, we will love Him more. He paid what we could never pay. When we truly understand all that He did to forgive an unpayable debt, we’ll love Him more and more. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a deeper revelation of how much you were forgiven. We’ve all been forgiven much and we can love Him much.
