“For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little” (Luke 7:47).
Our ability to love is related to our receiving forgiveness. In Luke 7:36-50 we find another very important account of Jesus interacting with religious people and sinners. Once again, we see that Jesus was always being evaluated by how He was relating to others and especially people that would usually be considered as impure and rejected because of their past.
“But when Jesus heard this, He said, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice,’ for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners”” (Matthew 9:12–13). Jesus not only came to the world out of the love of God for His creation, but He also expects His disciples to continue to love others with the same love that He has.
At the end of this story Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:50). Again, like in the example from the other woman from Luke 8:43-48, the two women went against what would be in our minds a normal expression of faith. Both of them were considered impure, and according to the normal practices they should not have touched Jesus, but their actions brought them forgiveness of sins, healing, and peace. Peace is more than tranquility, it means complete restoration, wholeness, rest, freedom to be who you are.
When we are able to touch the Lord, just the way we are, confessing our sins, even if it out of despair, He sees that as an act of faith, then we can walk in peace. Our ability to love comes from receiving His love. We can love Him and others when we receive His love personally.
John 13:34-35; 15:12
1 Peter 1:22
Luke 8:43-48
Luke 7 36:50
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