Forgiven Much, Loving Much - Aug. 10th, 2025

Provisional Outline – Luke 7:36–50

Luke 7:36–50 KJV

36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 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. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Theme: Those who have been forgiven much will love much.

Proposition: Love for Christ flows from experiencing His forgiving grace.

Purpose: To call the hearer to come to Christ in humble, believing repentance and to live in grateful devotion flowing from His forgiveness.

Introduction

On this Sunday morning we open to a moving scene in Luke 7:36–50, where Jesus encounters two very different people at the same dinner table. In this passage a respectable Pharisee hosts Jesus for a meal, but a woman with a notorious reputation – identified only as “a sinner” – intrudes with an act of extravagant devotion. Luke, the Gospel writer, paints a vivid contrast between cold self-righteousness and warm repentant love. This story calls us to examine our own hearts in light of God’s grace. As our Baptist forebears might say, “Christ receiveth sinful men” – praise God, no sinner is beyond the reach of His grace!

Scripture Reading: “And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment… and stood at His feet behind Him weeping… and anointed them with the ointment…” (Luke 7:37–38, KJV). Jesus later said, “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much… And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace” (Luke 7:47–50, KJV). May the Lord bless the reading of His Word.

Central Theme: Luke emphasizes the forgiving grace of God in Christ and the response of love it produces. This morning we will draw out a doctrinal emphasis: those who have been forgiven much will love much. We’ll see that salvation is by grace through faith, and that genuine faith expresses itself in humble, grateful love for the Savior. Let us consider this story in four parts and apply its lessons to our lives.

I. A Shocking Scene at the Pharisee’s Table (Luke 6:36-39)

The Setting of the Supper (vv. 36–39)

“Cold host, warm-hearted sinner.”

Jesus accepts an invitation to dine at the house of Simon the Pharisee (Luke 7:36). In those days, such dinners were semi-public – uninvited persons could enter the open courtyard to observe or listen. As they recline at the table, a woman known around town as a “sinner” (likely a euphemism for a notoriously immoral life) slips in. What happens next is shocking to everyone present.

A. The Courtesy That Was Common – v. 36

Luke 7:36 KJV

36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.

  – Jesus is invited to dine; customary courtesies expected.

A Lack of Basic Hospitality: Simon the host is silently fuming. In that culture, a host normally provided water to wash a guest’s feet, greeted them with a kiss of respect, and anointed their head with a touch of oil as refreshment. “In ancient Near Eastern culture, offering water for a guest’s feet was a common courtesy… Simon’s neglect of this custom indicates a lack of honor and respect for Jesus.” Yet this “sinful” woman ends up doing all the things Simon failed to do! She tenderly washes Jesus’ feet (with her tears in place of water), she covers His feet with kisses, and anoints them – not with cheap olive oil, but with costly perfume. Her actions speak volumes: she honors Jesus as Lord, showing love and reverence.

B. The Contrition That Was Costly – vv. 37–38

Luke 7:37–38 KJV

37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

  – A sinner’s tearful, sacrificial devotion to Christ.

The Woman’s Bold Devotion: This woman approaches Jesus weeping. She washes His feet with her tears, wipes them with her hair, kisses His feet repeatedly, and anoints them with expensive perfumed oil (v.38). Such emotion and affection embarrass the onlookers. Luke does not tell us exactly where Simon’s house was. The last city mentioned was Nain, but the Spirit leaves the location undescribed, reminding us that the focus is not on where this happened, but on who was there and what unfolded. This is now about the seventh time Luke has mentioned the Pharisees, and each time their portrayal has been less than favorable. They have already refused John’s baptism, murmured at Jesus’ fellowship with sinners, and tried to challenge His authority. Simon fits the pattern. In some ways he resembles Nicodemus in John 3 — a Pharisee meeting with Jesus — but while Nicodemus came with questions, Simon comes with an agenda, and that agenda will be exposed in the presence of grace. Furthermore, in those days, letting down one’s hair in public was considered improper for a woman, yet she does not care – her sorrow over sin and love for the Lord overwhelm social conventions. We can imagine her tears of repentance falling on Jesus’ dusty feet as prayers from a broken heart.

C. The Criticism That Was Concealed – v. 39

Luke 7:39 KJV

39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

  – Simon’s silent judgment exposes his cold heart.

Outward Religion vs. Inward Reality: Picture the contrast: Simon, a religious leader who knows the Scriptures, gave Jesus no kiss of greeting; this broken woman has not ceased kissing His feet. Simon withheld the customary oil, but she poured out precious ointment. The “righteous” Pharisee shows little love, while the repentant sinner shows great love. This stark contrast sets the stage for Jesus’ lesson. It is possible to have religion in form but not in heart. Simon’s cold treatment of Jesus reveals a heart untouched by grace, whereas the woman’s lavish devotion reveals a heart transformed by mercy. We must ask ourselves: Do we approach Jesus like Simon – formally, without affection – or like this woman, with humble, heartfelt love?

II. The Parable of Two Debtors – Grace for the Guilty (Luke 7:40-43)

The Story of the Sinners (vv. 40–43)

“Big Debt, Bigger Grace.”

Seeing Simon’s unspoken scorn, Jesus addresses him by name: “Simon, I have something to say to you […somewhat to say to thee]” (v. 40). (By the way, Simon hadn’t voiced his criticism aloud – Jesus knew Simon’s thoughts and answered them, proving He truly was a prophet and more !). Jesus then shares a brief parable to explain what is happening in spiritual terms:

“Two men owed money to a certain creditor. One owed five hundred pence (denarii), and the other fifty. Neither had money to repay, so the creditor frankly forgave both debts. Now tell me, which of them will love him most?” (v.41-42, paraphrased). Simon answers, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged rightly,” Jesus affirms (v.43).

A. The Penetrating Call – v. 40

Luke 7:40 KJV

40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

  – Jesus addresses Simon’s unspoken thoughts.

All of Us Are Debtors: In this simple story, God is the gracious creditor, and sinners are the debtors. A denarius was about a day’s wage. One debt (500 denarii) is astronomically large, about 1.5 years’ salary; the other (50 denarii) is significant too – around two months’ pay. The truth is, whether our “debt” of sin is very large or relatively small, none of us can pay what we owe. “When they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both” (v.42). Here is grace – God’s unmerited favor – forgiving a debt we could never clear on our own. As Scripture elsewhere says, “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23, KJV). We are spiritually bankrupt apart from grace.

B. The Parable Conveyed – vv. 41–42

Luke 7:41–42 KJV

41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

  – Two debtors, one creditor, total inability, total forgiveness.

Those Forgiven Much, Love Much: Jesus’ question to Simon gets to the heart of the matter: Who will love the gracious creditor more? Obviously, the one forgiven the greater debt will have the greater gratitude. The sizable difference in the debt is meant to make Simon think of himself and the woman. Simon likely considered himself a “small debtor” – after all, he lived a moral, religious life. Perhaps he thought the woman was a “500-pence sinner” and he only a “50-pence sinner.” Yet in truth both are unable to pay. Jesus is gently leading Simon to see that none can boast of righteousness; we all depend on God’s mercy. In another place, Jesus told self-righteous Pharisees, “Publicans and harlots go into the kingdom of God before you” (Matthew 21:31, KJV) – not because immorality is good, but because notorious sinners were coming to repentance, while the proud remained unrepentant. Grace often shines brightest in saving those who seem the most lost, as a testimony that no one is beyond hope. Indeed, “the grace of God has frequently chosen the lowest of the low, and the vilest of the vile… as an encouragement to others to cry unto the Lord for mercy.”

C. The Point Confirmed – v. 43

Luke 7:43 KJV

43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

  – Greater grace produces greater gratitude.

Amazing Grace for Every Sinner: Perhaps you think your sins are relatively “small.” Be careful – if we minimize our sin, we will minimize our love and gratitude to God. In truth, even a 50-denarii debt is unpayable for a pauper. On the other hand, perhaps you know you’re a “great sinner” and fear God would never love you. Take heart! God is in the business of forgiving “the chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). He sent Jesus to pay our debt in full at the cross. The hymnwriter John Newton, once a wicked slave trader, captured it well: “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!” Whether our sins are many or few, “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20, KJV). God’s grace is greater than all our sin.

III. “Her Sins Are Forgiven” – Love as the Evidence of Grace (Luke 7:44-48)

The Sight of the Savior’s Standard (vv. 44–48)

“Love Shows You’re Forgiven.”

Having told the parable, Jesus now applies it directly. He turns toward the woman but speaks to Simon, pointing out the contrast between them (vv. 44-46). Simon omitted basic courtesies, while this woman showed overflowing love. This act is even more staggering when we read it against the backdrop of Luke’s unfolding narrative. Not long before this, John the Baptist declared that he was unworthy even to loosen the latchet of the Coming One’s sandal (Luke 3:16) — a task considered the lowest duty of a servant. Here, that humility is magnified beyond imagination: a woman — and, in all likelihood, a Jewish woman — takes a position beneath even that. She not only touches Jesus’ feet, but lets down her hair, a gesture that in her culture could give her husband grounds to put her away without any financial protection. She uses that hair to wipe His feet — a task beneath the dignity of any self-respecting Jew — yet she does so gladly, because her love has overwhelmed all thoughts of status, propriety, or personal cost. Luke takes this so far beyond a mere moving personal moment; it is a living commentary on the worthiness of Christ and the depth of devotion He inspires in those He has forgiven. Jesus then delivers the core lesson:

“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, KJV).

At first glance, this could sound like the woman was forgiven because she loved Jesus so much. But that would contradict the parable Jesus just gave. The parable taught that forgiveness comes freely (the debts were frankly forgiven), and love is the result, not the price of forgiveness. In fact, the original language and context support that interpretation: “Love may be thought of as the natural consequence of the sense of being forgiven… The whole drift of the previous parable is in favour of the latter explanation.” In other words, her great love is proof that she has been greatly forgiven, not the cause of it. The forgiven debtor demonstrates gratitude. Jesus reads this woman’s actions as evidence that God’s grace has already touched her heart.

A. The Review of Their Reception – vv. 44–46

Luke 7:44–46 KJV

44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

  – Simon’s neglect contrasted with the woman’s devotion.

Forgiven unto Love: Notice Jesus’ wording, “Her sins are forgiven.” It’s a declaration in the present tense, even before He speaks directly to her. Christ is assuring Simon (and everyone listening) that this weeping woman stands forgiven by God. She “has loved much” – that love flowed from the forgiveness she received when she humbly repented. The Bible teaches, “We love Him, because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19, KJV). This woman’s life had been shattered by sin, but now her tears and devotion indicate a soul set free. She is the proof of Jesus’ parable: the one forgiven much loves much. By contrast, Simon’s lack of love shows he hasn’t grasped his own need for forgiveness – perhaps his sins remain “unforgiven” because he has not truly repented or trusted in Christ. How about us? Do our lives display deep love for Jesus as evidence that we’ve experienced His forgiving grace? Or are we cold toward Him, suggesting we haven’t fully acknowledged how much He has done for us?

B. The Revelation of the Reason – v. 47

Luke 7:47 KJV

47 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.

  – Her love proves her pardon; forgiveness precedes affection.

The Friend of Sinners: It’s striking that Jesus does not recoil from this “unclean” woman. A Pharisee in that time would never let a known sinful woman touch him – they’d be concerned about becoming ritually defiled. Simon even questioned Jesus’ prophetic credentials because Jesus allowed her to anoint Him (“This man, if he were a prophet, would have known… what manner of woman this is… for she is a sinner,” v.39). Yet Jesus not only allows her touch, He affirms and defends her. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus has a reputation as the friend of sinners. Earlier, the Pharisees derided Him, saying, “Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners” (Luke 7:34, KJV). What the self-righteous mean as an insult, we take as a glorious truth of the Gospel! Our Savior is indeed the friend of sinners. As Spurgeon eloquently put it, this very title “was hissed at Him from the lips of contempt, ‘A friend of publicans and sinners.’ This is Jesus’ character of which He is not ashamed: ‘This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.’” Hallelujah – no matter how stained your past, if you come to Jesus in repentance and faith, He will receive you! He says in John 6:37, “him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” The woman’s experience shows that Christ welcomes the contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).

C. The Release of Her Record – v. 48

Luke 7:48 KJV

48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

  – Jesus publicly declares her sins forgiven.

Public Forgiveness: In verse 48, Jesus finally speaks to the woman directly: “And He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.” What a relieving word! He pronounces before all that her many sins have been wiped away. Only God can ultimately forgive sins, and indeed the other guests murmur, “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?” (v.49). This echoes an earlier scene in Luke 5: “Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” (Luke 5:21). The answer, of course, is that Jesus is God the Son, with full authority to forgive. He has the right to cancel our debt because He is on His way to pay that debt in full at the cross. Simon had wondered if Jesus was a prophet; here Jesus shows He is far more – He is the Savior with power to forgive even the worst sinner. If you need forgiveness today, you need look no further than Jesus Christ. He alone, by virtue of His atoning death and resurrection, can say to your heart, “Your sins are forgiven.”

IV. “Thy Faith Hath Saved Thee” – Salvation and Peace through Christ (Luke 7:49-50)

The Seal of Salvation (vv. 49–50)

“Faith Brings Peace.”

The final verse gives the conclusion and application from Jesus Himself: “And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace” (Luke 7:50, KJV). Here we see how salvation is received, and the result it brings.

A. The Questioning Crowd – v. 49

Luke 7:49 KJV

49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

  – Guests murmur at Christ’s claim to forgive sins.

Saved by Faith, Not by Works: The Lord makes it clear why this woman is saved. It was not her tears, not the expensive ointment, not even her love that earned her salvation – it was her faith. “Thy faith hath saved thee.” Scripture consistently teaches that we are saved by God’s grace through faith, not by our own works or merit (Ephesians 2:8-9). This woman’s actions, as beautiful as they were, did not wash away her sins – Jesus did. Her goodness could not outweigh her badness (nor can ours); rather, she trusted in Christ’s mercy and that is what saved her soul. Spurgeon noted, “Our souls do not begin with loving Christ… the first lesson is to trust. … First trust Christ for the pardon of thy sin… then love shall flash to thy heart as the result of gratitude… Grace is the source of love, but faith is the agent by which love is brought to us.” Faith is the hand that receives God’s gift of forgiveness. The woman’s faith in Jesus moved her to come, weep, and anoint – those acts were the fruit of her faith. Likewise, we must simply believe in the Lord Jesus, casting ourselves on His mercy, and He saves us. Have you put your faith in Jesus Christ as the One who paid your sin-debt? You cannot work off your guilt; you must entrust it to Him and receive His free pardon.

B. The Quieted Conscience – v. 50

Luke 7:50 KJV

50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

  – Salvation by faith alone; peace as the fruit of pardon.

Peace with God: Jesus tells her, “Go in peace.” Imagine the burden that rolled off her shoulders at that moment. This is the peace of a justified sinner – the peace of knowing that things are right between you and God at last. Romans 5:1 declares, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This woman likely came into Simon’s house already forgiven — sometime before this night she had encountered Jesus, believed on Him, and received His gracious pardon. That explains the sense of “are forgiven” in verse 47 — a perfect or present state rooted in a past act of grace. Her tears were not the cry of uncertainty seeking pardon, but the overflow of a heart already reconciled to God. She wept in gratitude, not despair; in worship, not in terror. And in stark contrast to Simon, who withheld even the basic courtesies of hospitality, she poured out extravagant love upon the One who had saved her. The two different words for forgiveness in the passage bolster this: her settled state of being forgiven (v. 47) and Jesus’ public declaration of that reality to her (v. 48) — grace received in the past, now affirmed openly before others. Simon’s trap was to humiliate Jesus, but she instead honored Him in full view, embodying what it means to love much because one has been forgiven much. What a contrast: Simon and his dinner guests remain in spiritual turmoil, questioning who Jesus is, but this woman departs knowing the Prince of Peace personally! Jesus still offers that peace today – a deep-settled peace that comes from His forgiveness. If you are troubled in heart, come to Jesus in repentance and trust, and “He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7). He will say to you as well, “your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Walking in New Love: Though the text doesn’t describe what the woman did next, we can safely assume her life was never the same. Forgiveness is not the end; it is the beginning of a life of love and service to Christ. When Jesus saves us, He also transforms our hearts to love Him and to live differently. As Baptists have preached for generations, saving faith is life-changing. If you have truly met the Savior, your life will show it. This woman’s dramatic act of love was just the start. Jesus said in another place, “To whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little” – implying that those who realize the magnitude of God’s mercy will be overflowing with love. Let us never forget what it cost Jesus to save us. Let us never graduate from gratitude. Coldness in our love for Christ is a spiritual red flag. If today your heart has grown cold or merely formal toward God, perhaps you have forgotten the pit from which you were dug. Remember the “debt” of sin He canceled on the cross on your behalf. Meditate on His amazing grace until your soul is rekindled with love. As Jesus said to the Ephesian church in Revelation, “Remember… from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (Rev 2:5). Return to that early devotion. The flames of love are stoked by the fuel of remembered grace.

Conclusion

Luke’s account of the forgiven woman in Luke 7:36–50 gives us a portrait of salvation. We see a guilty sinner, a gracious Savior, and the love that springs up when mercy is received. We also see a warning in the figure of the Pharisee: pride, self-righteousness, and lack of love indicate a heart that is not right with God. The question for each of us is: Which person am I? Are you more like Simon – outwardly religious but lacking compassion and devotion, quick to judge others but blind to your own need? Or do you identify with the woman – aware of your many sins, broken and penitent, clinging to Jesus as your only hope?

The good news is that Jesus stands ready to forgive every sinner who comes to Him. He proved His love by dying on the cross for our sins and rising again. No sin is so terrible that His grace cannot forgive, and no sinner is so lost that He cannot save. But we must come, as this woman did, in humility and faith. We must fall at His feet, so to speak – acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior. Have you done that? Jesus said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” Come to Him today with your sins, your failures, your burdens – He will say, “Your sins are forgiven… your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

For those of us who have already experienced His forgiveness, this passage calls us to remember and renew our love for Jesus. Do we still have the deep gratitude of one who knows they’ve been spared from death? Does it show in our worship, our prayers, our service, our daily obedience? The sinful woman’s wholehearted devotion puts many of us to shame – how easily we can become lukewarm or overly cautious in expressing our love for Christ. Let her example spur us on to more fervent worship and service. As our brother Charles Spurgeon challenged his congregation long ago, “She acted naturally as her heart dictated, and, brethren, she acted well… O for more of this guileless piety, which hurls decorum and regulation to the winds… Throw your souls into the service of Christ; let your heart burn in His presence… for such love as He has shown to you, give the most awakened and quickened love in return.” Amen!

Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, we marvel at Your grace that received a sinner like this woman – just as You received each of us who have bowed at Your feet. Thank You for freely forgiving our unpayable debt of sin. Give us hearts overflowing with love and gratitude. Keep us from self-righteous pride like Simon. Help us go in peace and live in wholehearted devotion to You, our Savior and Friend of sinners. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.