Love Much
Therefore I tell you, her sins, many [as they are], are forgiven her—because she has loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little. And He said to her, Your sins are forgiven!
Mary Magdalene was a woman with a past. She had sold her love by the hour; she was a prostitute. She was called “an especially wicked sinner” by the Pharisees (Luke 7:37). At one time Jesus cast seven demons out of her (Luke 8:2).
In Luke 7:36–50, we see the account of Mary anointing Jesus’ feet with a bottle of very expensive perfume, washing them with her tears, and drying them with her hair. Her act of love was seen by other people as being erotic because of her past, but Jesus knew it was an act of pure love.
When we have an unpleasant past, people often misjudge our actions, and we find ourselves trying to convince others that we are acceptable. People don’t forget our past as easily as God does. The Pharisees could not understand Jesus’ allowing Mary to even touch Him. Jesus said that those who have been forgiven much will love much. Mary loved Jesus greatly because He had forgiven her for her great sins. She wanted to give Him the most expensive thing she owned; she wanted to serve Him. He saw her heart, not her past.
Prayer of the Day: Lord, I want to love You in the way that Mary loved You. Thank You for Your forgiveness and for cleansing my heart and soul from sin. I will give You my best, amen.
