47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
God loves an expressive grateful heart - it is a demonstration of our faith. In the above verse, Jesus is referring to the woman whom Simon had deemed a “sinner”. Unbeknownst to him, he fell into that exact same category. Her appreciation and love flowed from a heart of gratitude for her forgiven sins; Simon’s self-righteous haughtiness flowed from an unrepentant heart – filled with self-sufficiency - not having a clue that he even needed to be thankful for the mercy and grace offered by Christ. We can so delude ourselves can’t we? Looking down our big fat noses at those we place in the “sinner” category never delving into the vileness of our own depravity – we don’t want to go there, it is simply too convicting! Yet, that is what God has called us to. Scripture tells us: 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 1 John 1:9-10 (NIV)
Isaiah adds:15 This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)
We do not want to be obstinate children heaping sin upon sin; rebellious, deceitful, unwilling to listen to the Lord’s instruction. We must remember:
18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)
This dear woman had a love for our Lord that was rooted in her mind and in her will which esteemed and prized and treated as precious the One who could and would forgive her sins. Simply put, she was devoted to Him and He delighted in that. We would do well to follow her example. Scripture holds many promises for those the Lord delights in: 23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. Psalms 37:23-24 (NIV) 11 the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. Psalms 147:11 (NIV) 18 Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.
19 You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19 (NIV) When we delight in Him – the desires of our heart are met. David, the man after God’s own heart states:3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:3-4 (NIV) Unbeknownst to most, the greatest desire of man is to experience more of God. Whether one realizes this or not is a mute point, the fact remains that it is true. Until we realize that our contentment can come only from Christ we will all find ourselves predominately unsatisfied with life and needy. We will never be rich enough, skinny enough, athletic enough, smart enough, acquire enough or have companions enough to satisfy our deepest longings and needs – trust me here, all of that list plus more falls short. If Solomon the wisest man to ever live and one of the richest could say after his many, many life experiences – all is vanity, why in the world do we think it would be any different for us? Hell-o, let’s try to learn a little something from history here:2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." Eccl 1:2 (NIV)
Contrast this to the “good gift” Christ offers His children in Luke – the gift of the Holy Spirit which is precisely more of Him:9 "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 "Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:9-13 (NIV) Indeed, the Holy Spirit is the good and perfect gift!