We are part of the way through the extraordinary encounter Jesus had with a highly religious Pharisee and an immoral woman.  As invited guests, Jesus and His disciples reclined on cushions as a generous dinner was served on a low table.  Their feet stretched away from the table.  The woman with a sordid reputation came into the room, stood weeping over Jesus’ feet, drying them with her hair and pouring perfume over them.  Simon the Pharisee was indignant although he did not say anything.  But Jesus knew exactly what he was thinking (Luke 7:36-40).

It was time to teach Simon a lesson about forgiveness.  He used the best example: financial debt.  What would you most want if you owed a lot of money but had no funds to pay it back?  Another loan to pay off the first debt would only delay the moment of crisis; and make it even worse by adding more interest payments.  But if the creditor chose to write off the debt, no more payment would be demanded. That is called, 'forgiving the debt' (Matthew 6:12).

Jesus' story about two men whose debts were cancelled speaks about their response to forgiveness.  With a ten-fold difference in the amount owed, it was easy for Simon to see that when more is forgiven, the more people are grateful.  But Jesus' language is stronger than just describing gratitude; He spoke of a response of love.  Sinners certainly find great relief when their guilt is removed because of the blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18-19).  And there is more. They also find a great joy as a new confident future opens up before them (2 Corinthians 5:17).  That joy is brought by the Holy Spirit who inhabits the people who trust in the sacrifice of Jesus and are forgiven by God (Romans 15:13).

The difference is very great.  Before being forgiven, the person is locked into the grief of a guilty past with no future hope (Ephesians 2:12).  But afterwards there is a hope, and future and joy to go with it (Romans 5:1-2).  The greater the guilt forgiven, the greater the joy!  So, paradoxically the worst sinners who have most forgiven, are therefore most grateful and joyful.  If you know what it is to be forgiven because of Jesus, please tell others - it will change their lives for ever!