We are back at the town of Bethany, a short stroll from Jerusalem, for today’s concluding Part 2 of ”How much do you love Him?” The hero of our story is a woman who had privately lived an immoral life, but who now publicly lived as a repentant sinner. The woman had earlier been touched by the love and compassion of Jesus. Her sins had been pardoned and she was set-free from shame. Her show of gratitude to Jesus needed to be matched to the level of love and compassion He had shown to her. The woman needed to do what had to be done, and nothing and no one was going to stand in her way!
 
The villain of our story is Simon, the Pharisee! After noting Simon’s thoughts regarding the presence and actions of the woman (kissed Jesus’ feet and wiped her tears from them with her hair) … Jesus told a story of two debtors to help Simon to “see” himself, the woman, and Jesus in the light of God’s love, justice and mercy.
 
Simon and his religious associates were prideful… their hearts were hard and their sight was blinded from seeing as they should. So, Jesus said to Simon: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, cancelling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the larger debt” (Lk. 7:41-43).
 
Before being told the parable, Simon saw himself as a respectable law-keeper and he saw the woman as a disrespectable law-breaker. Simon didn’t see himself as someone needing forgiveness… only the uninvited, immoral woman.
 
However, from God’s perspective… “Everyone has sinned and has fallen short of God’s glorious standard” (Rom. 3:23). Every person needs forgiveness as every person by nature is a law-breaker! In the story that Jesus told, the lender of the money is God. The debtor who owed 500 pieces of silver is the woman, and the debtor who owed 50 pieces of silver is Simon.
 
The story showcases two debtors who could not repay the debt they owed, but, God, to whom the debt was owed, forgave them and set them free. The woman’s action in our story confirmed Simon’s response to Jesus’ question… “Who do you, Simon, suppose loved him more after that?” by saying, “I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” Simon’s answer vindicated the woman’s presence and actions, and, at the same time, convicted him for his lack of love toward her… and God (The Great Commandment…Mat. 22:36-40).
 
The parable told by Jesus judged Simon, a reputed “law-keeper”, to be a law-breaker, revealing him to be someone needing God’s love, compassion and forgiveness… the very things he withheld from the woman.
 
Friends, do you know the cost of the oil in the woman’s alabaster jar? A sincere glance at the Cross of Jesus by repentant sinners reveals the answer. Do you realise that your life and mine is declaring right now how much or how little we love the One who gave His all to forgive us of the debt we cannot pay?
 
Today’s story is also wonderfully told through music, song and drama. Well known recording artist Cece Winans presents her rendition of “Alabaster Box” in a way that will deeply touch your mind, heart and spirit.

Yd you will hear how the hero of our story felt and why she did what she did when she learnt that Jesus was at the house of Simon. (The YouTube video clip runs for 5:24 minutes… you won’t be sorry.)
 
Friends, we have a clear understanding as to the measure of love the woman had for Jesus. We also know how much that love cost her. God’s question to you and me is… How much “is” your love for My Son, Jesus, costing you?
 
Best wishes
Bill