For She Loved Much

“Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.” - Luke 7:47

The age we live in is one of availability of information.  If you want to communicate a message to someone you can text, call, email, Snapchat, Facebook message, What’s App, and even write a letter!  Through Facebook you can show the world what you had for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  If you don’t know something: “Just Google it!”.   One would think, with so much information and means of communication, we would be closer than ever as a human race, but oftentimes the opposite is true.  We are just as guarded and segregated as ever.  We seem distanced from the sufferings of our fellow man and numb to the simplicity of Christ.  Perhaps it is not in the channel of communication, but the approach to communication.

            Pharisees were the religious elite during the time of Christ.  They held the high seats, wore the best robes, and only associated with those who were like them (let the church take care not to do the same!).  When Christ came on the scene some of them sought him out, not as though he was the Son of God, but as though he was an equal.  Simon (found in Luke chapter seven) was such a Pharisee.  He went so far as to invite Jesus to his home, but the way he approached Christ is not unlike many today (perhaps even some reading now).  He gave him no kiss (a customary greeting), he gave him no basin to wash his feet (a kind gesture).  He approached Jesus, but he did it in a guarded and careful manner.  Essentially, he said to his peers, himself, and Christ: “Let there be no mistake, I am intrigued by you, but not devoted to you.”  While they spoke, a woman, a sinner, comes up to Jesus and begins to bathe his feet with her tears and dry them with her hair; she then proceeds to anoint his head with oil.  What humility!  What reverence!  How we approach Jesus Christ can determine the destiny of our immortal soul.  How we approach Jesus Christ is a matter of life and death.  Simon the Pharisee saw him as an equal and one that could be accepted or dismissed, he was guarded and full of care towards Jesus.  The woman didn't care what anyone thought about her, she was not worried about what others would say or think; she approached Jesus recklessly, and completely.  She wasn't just intrigued by him, she was invested, abandoned, and totally devoted to Jesus Christ.  He was her salvation and she treated him as such.   

            We cannot approach Christ like a research paper or a Google search.  He cannot be just a “Facebook friend”.  We do not communicate with him as you would a co-worker or casual acquaintance.  The Bible teaches us that for Christ to forgive and save your soul you must come as this woman did.  You must approach Christ wholly, completely, entirely, with no regard for the cost or the shame that it may bring you.  You must, I must, we must, love much.  This is the key to salvation, and the approach that will bring it to pass.  To love him above all else.  For he did the same.  He bled and died for us “while we were yet sinners”.  On the cross, he suffered our punishment that we might be saved, and so, He alone must save us.  When we come to Him, we are coming to our Lord, King, Master, and Savior.  So, we must approach Him as such.