NOTES for Luk 7:36-50
At first glance the situation can appear questionable: is it really the case that in order to deserve forgiveness, one need only "show love" to Christ, or, as we would say today, "pamper" Him? This would be understandable in the case of a boss at work or some official in a government office, but Christ... Does He really demand an "advance payment" for His forgiveness?
The parable of the two debtors can clarify this question: love is not payment for forgiveness; love is the natural expression of gratitude. Jesus compares the expressions of love shown by the Pharisee, a devout and respected man, and by the "sinner," probably a public woman, not in order to reproach him for callousness. He is simply illustrating His own words: "he who is forgiven little, loves little." In this light, the woman's unusual gesture means that she is already no longer a sinner: her love testifies that she has been forgiven. This allows us to read Jesus' words about her differently, as most modern translations do: "Her many sins are forgiven, as can be seen from how greatly she loves." And can this be seen in us?