"I Have Something To Say To You" - Luke 7:47 for Marriage

In Luke 7:36-50 we find the account of Jesus' visit to the home of Simon the Pharisee. While they are reclining at table, a "woman of the city" (i.e. a prostitute) comes and lavishly displays her repentant heart and love for Jesus. Simon is put off. Jesus rebukes him with a little story and its application to the events of the dinner party. In verse 47, Jesus says

Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.

The point is not: “Too bad for you, Simon. If you’d have sowed your wild oats a bit more, I could have forgiven you a bit more, and then you’d be a more loving person.”

Jesus is saying: There is a direct correlation between how much you love and how much you know/are aware of the greatness of your need for forgiveness. If you are out of touch with reality and think yourself a pretty benign, amateur, lightweight sinner, then mercy is not worth much and neither is Jesus. Little (need for) love from Jesus begets little love for Jesus (and others). If, on the other hand, you are in touch with the reality that you are a malignant, professional-grade, heavyweight sinner, then mercy is priceless and so is Jesus. Much love from Jesus begets much love for Jesus (and others). The something Jesus had to say to Simon just might have something to say to sinners who've said 'I do'.