Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.
Luke 7:47

Mary Magdalene was a woman with a long past of sinful behavior. She also knew who Jesus was. Mark and Luke both tell us that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her. She had been forgiven much, and she knew it.

Simon the Pharisee had invited Jesus and his disciples over for a Sabbath lunch. He thought they might have a nice theological chat, one Rabbi to another. It would give him a chance to see what this itinerant Rabbi, Y’shua, was all about.

While they were eating, Mary came in, overcome with gratitude, and worshiped Jesus, weeping so that her tears washed his feet and she wiped them away with her own long hair. She was a mess. Her past was a mess, and now she was a grateful, loving, redeemed, forgiven mess.

So much for having a nice religious discussion! Simon was scandalized. How could a holy person like Jesus allow “such a woman” to even touch Him?

Mary’s sins were not easily hidden; they were all too well known by everyone. Simon’s were more subtle; hidden even from himself. He didn’t realize the deep depravity of his own heart as he sat in judgment on this broken woman, and even on Jesus Himself.

The Lord’s gentle words to Simon show us that He sought Simon’s heart as well as Mary’s. Her open gratitude for His forgiveness stood in open contrast to Simon’s tight-lipped, proper, self-contained religion.

Lord Jesus, forgive my self-righteous judgment of peoples’ messy lives and of their messy gratitude for Your redeeming power. Fill my heart, like theirs, with humble awe and gratitude in Your presence. You have redeemed me, even me. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles