The Cost of Forgiveness

“So, I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love.”

Luke 7:47 (CEV)

She walked into a room where she wasn’t invited. She embarrassed herself. Crying over Jesus’s feet, her tears smeared the dust, making mud. No one had washed his feet before the dinner—something that was always done for an honored guest. The tears kept coming. Her hair fell around her. She used it to wipe off his feet.

With determination, she opened a perfume jar, and its scent filled the room. This, her prized possession worth a year’s wages, she poured out on Jesus’s feet. The dinner host did not approve of her actions.

But when she saw and heard Jesus’s approval, her bravery was all worth it. She would give everything to please the one who loved her and forgave her sins.

How does a person love Jesus that much? How can you get to the point where you would bravely give your most prized possession, or even your life, for him? Jesus said it was because she knew all her many sins had been forgiven.

Jesus paid a high price to forgive us our sins by dying on a cross for us. When we realize how much we’ve been forgiven, how awful the punishment we deserve, and how great his love for us, our love for him grows. We can willingly and courageously hand our lives over to him.

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

What are you willing to give your life for or dedicate your life to? Why? Ask a few people these questions and think about it!

INSPIRATION

One of the most expensive perfumes of all time was called Shumukh. Made by a perfumer in Dubai, its bottle was adorned with diamonds, pearls, and gold. It sold for $1.29 million.

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Refer to the tabbed Bible references to read the passages today.

Psalm 116:1

Psalm 130:3–4

Philippians 1:9

1 John 4:19