FORGIVENESS AS WORSHIP
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
Luke 7:47 (NLT)
Before Jesus made this statement in Luke 7, He had been invited to the home of Simon the Pharisee for a meal. According to the customs of the day, guests—especially honored ones—were typically welcomed with a kiss of greeting, oil for their heads, and a washing of their feet. Though not mandatory, these gestures showed honor to one’s guests. Although Jesus was known as a teacher of Scripture, a healer and someone who cast out demons, He was offered only the bare minimum of hospitality.
A woman of ill repute in the city heard that Jesus was at Simon’s home, and she came to give Him everything she had. Kneeling low, she washed His feet with her tears and hair, anointed Him with oil, and offered the welcome He hadn’t received. When the Pharisee saw this, he questioned Jesus’ discernment, assuming He didn’t know this sinful woman. Rather than shrinking back, Jesus honored the love she showed—a love Simon lacked.
Jesus said, “A person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” (Luke 7:47b NLT). The woman at Jesus’ feet wasn’t trying to earn grace—she was responding to it. Her love flowed from knowing how deeply she’d been forgiven. It’s not rule-following that draws us close to God. It’s repentance. It’s coming to Him humbly and receiving mercy we don’t deserve.
The Pharisees were so focused on getting things right that they bypassed the nature of God in their effort to uphold the rules of God, rules distorted by misconception and human effort. The result? A loyalty to the things of God without ever encountering the love of God Himself.
It’s easy to drift from wonder into routine, trading grace for rule-keeping. But we were never made right with God by effort—only by Jesus. The woman who wept at His feet didn’t bring perfection. She brought a heart undone by mercy. May we never lose sight of the grace that saved us. The more we remember His forgiveness, the more our love and worship will overflow.
APPLICATION: Forgiveness opens our hearts to God's love. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19 NIV). Today, ask the Lord to show you the depth of His forgiveness toward you, and let that truth move you to worship.
PRAYER: Jesus, undo me with Your mercy. Teach me to forgive. Let Your love, not vengeance or effort, heal my heart. I love and I worship You. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?