Luke 7:40–50

Those of us who have been forgiven much…understand the depth of  God’s  love for His creation. 

I am so very thankful for the forgiveness that He gifts mankind in the birth, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, all man all God. It cost us nothing but cost Him everything.

1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

The perfect Son of God chose to die for us. The fact that Jesus chose this path is the foundation of the Christian faith. Without the death of Jesus, there would be no redemption of sin and no resurrection. But because of Jesus' death, we can accept the gift of His grace as He paid the price for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21;  Romans 6:23). 

There are a few notable events that happened when Jesus gave His life for the sins of the world. One that stands out as an amazing symbol of access to God is when the veil of the temple was torn from the top to the bottom (Matthew 27:51). Before Jesus' death, the only way to get access to God was through the high priest (Exodus 26:31-33). When the veil was torn, there was no longer a need to go through a priest to get to God. Jesus became the Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5-6). First5 

May I live this day
Compassionate of heart,
Clear of word,
Gracious in awareness,
Courageous in thought,
Generous in love.
John O’Donohue, Irish poet 

Luke 7:40–50 

40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 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.” 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. 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. 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.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” The New King James Version

Rather than making the point Himself, Jesus prompts Simon to give an answer that condemns his own attitude. Jesus uses this same tactic with the parable of the good Samaritan. The parable reflects the scene. The woman, who appeared to be in great need of forgiveness, expresses her love and appreciation more than the Pharisee, who likely thought that he needed little or no forgiveness. Jesus contrasts the woman’s devotion and care with Simon’s failure to do anything to honor his invited guest. 

Forgiveness of sins could be granted by God alone. Jesus often recognizes faith as the catalyst for healing and salvation. Faithlife Study Bible

Jesus’ reply indicates that He knew the reputation of the woman, but was more interested in what the woman could become through the grace of God. 

Jesus often compared sin to a monetary debt. A denarius was a day’s wage for a basic laborer, so five hundred denarii was approximately the wages of one and a half years. Which of them will love him more: Jesus’ point is that the amount of love showered on the Savior will be in direct proportion with one’s sense of the gravity of the sins that the Savior has forgiven. The woman knew she had been forgiven much, and as a result she would love much.

Jesus contrasted the actions of the woman with the actions of the Pharisee Simon, implying that the woman knew more about forgiveness than Simon. Jesus confirmed that the love of the woman, which was visible in her actions toward Jesus, had come from being forgiven. 

The grumbling over Jesus’ declaration concerning forgiveness indicates that at least some people in the audience rejected His authority. Faith is the human channel for receiving God’s gifts. The NKJV Study Bible

None can truly perceive how precious Christ is, and the glory of the gospel, except the broken-hearted. But while they feel they cannot enough express self-abhorrence on account of sin, and admiration of his mercy, the self-sufficient will be disgusted, because the gospel encourages such repenting sinners. 

The Pharisee, instead of rejoicing in the tokens of the woman’s repentance, confined his thoughts to her former bad character. But without free forgiveness none of us can escape the wrath to come; this our gracious Saviour has purchased with his blood, that he may freely bestow it on every one that believes in him. Christ, by a parable, forced Simon to acknowledge that the greater sinner this woman had been, the greater love she ought to show to Him when her sins were pardoned. 

Learn here, that sin is a debt; and all are sinners, are debtors to Almighty God. Some sinners are greater debtors; but whether our debt be more or less, it is more than we are able to pay. God is ready to forgive; and his Son having purchased pardon for those who believe in him, his gospel promises it to them, and his Spirit seals it to repenting sinners, and gives them the comfort. 

Let us keep far from the proud spirit of the Pharisee, simply depending upon and rejoicing in Christ alone, and so be prepared to obey him more zealously, and more strongly to recommend him unto all around us. The more we express our sorrow for sin, and our love to Christ, the clearer evidence we have of the forgiveness of our sins. 

What a wonderful change does grace make upon a sinner’s heart and life, as well as upon his state before God, by the full remission of all his sins through faith in the Lord Jesus! Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary