By Rachel Mason 

“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 

—Luke 7:47

In this story in the gospel of Luke, we see a sinful woman approaching with pure humility and love—pouring perfume on His feet, weeping, kissing them, and wiping them with her hair. 

The Pharisees knew this woman and her many sins and believed Jesus should cast her away, condemning her for her sinful deeds. Responding to this idea, Jesus asked the Pharisees this question: “Two people 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 forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

The Pharisee’s response was: “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” which Jesus stated was the correct answer.

And here is where today’s verse comes in. Jesus then says this powerful statement to this Pharisee, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” This statement reveals an important truth: our love for Jesus grows out of our awareness of forgiveness.

This passage is not about comparing sins or deciding who owes more or less. Instead, it challenges us to reflect on how we view God’s grace, which provides us with forgiveness for our sins. If we minimize our need for forgiveness, our love for Jesus will also be small. But when we understand the cost of the forgiveness we were given—Jesus’ death on the cross—we are moved to love Him deeply.

Understanding that even one forgiven sin required the death of Jesus should move us to love Jesus with our entire being, just as this woman did.