February 24, 2021
“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” …And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:47, 50 ESV
It’s believed by most scholars that this woman was Mary Magdalene. Regardless, Jesus confronts the religious leaders with a fact of human nature: forgiveness and love are positively correlated. The more we love, the more we forgive and receive forgiveness. And the inverse is also true. The Scrooge’s of this world neither know love nor forgiveness—a sad state of affair.
At its core, our Gospel is about sacrificial love expressing forgiveness. The One who perfectly loved us, died for us to bring forgiveness and to reconcile us to the Father. As Christ’s disciples, we may not need to lay down our lives for others, but withholding forgiveness is not optional.
Father God, enlarge our love for your Son, that we might be quick to forgive ourselves and others. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling