Read Luke 7:18-50
Which came first; the chicken or the egg? It is the question that has perplexed barnyard philosophers for centuries, posing a causality dilemma as both, of course, are tightly connected.
Luke 7 seems to pose a similarly difficult causality dilemma. Which came first Jesus’ forgiveness or the woman’s love? If verse forty-seven is taken by itself, we might think that Jesus forgives the woman because she loved much. In the context of the parable Jesus shares, it is clear that the response of love is just that, a response. “When they could not pay, he canceled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?... He who is forgiven little loves little.”
So often we spend time analyzing our responses to God: our praise, our faith, our thanks, our service, our dedication. We do so to figure out how to increase those things, to be “better” Christians, obtain a stronger faith, or to increase our love for God. But one thing we can learn from all of this is that the love we have for Christ (whether it manifests itself as tear-washed feet or any other expression) is a response to his forgiveness. Rather than trying to conjure up more love for Jesus in order to receive His forgiveness, maybe we should just take a deeper look at the enormous debt of our sin and reflect on how Christ has canceled that debt. Eyes opened to debts forgiven end up responding with love.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, God of all grace, govern my heart that I may never forget Your blessings but steadfastly thank and praise You for all Your goodness. Amen.