What Do You See?
Luke 7:47-50 (NLT)
‘I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.’ Then Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ The men at the table said among themselves, 'Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?’ And Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’
I love a good optical illusion. I find it fascinating how two people can look at the same thing and see two different things. From the classic vases or faces, to the duck-rabbit, or the infamous blue and black or white and gold dress (remember that?!) I find these things weirdly interesting.
As our passage draws to a close, Simon and Jesus look at the woman and each sees someone different. When Simon looks at the woman he sees what she has been: he sees the ‘certain immoral woman’ she was. When Jesus looks at her he sees something quite different. He knows all the mistakes she’s made and the wrong choices, her brokenness and her shame. He’s seen all her sins (he even says ‘and they are many’) and yet he doesn’t dwell on that, because he’s seen her heart. Jesus sees her repentance and her devotion. He sees her acknowledgement of how much sin is within her. He sees her worship. He sees the love she has for him.
How does the woman see herself? I imagine she combines both viewpoints. She knows what she’s done, but she loves Jesus so much and is so thankful for his forgiveness. She finds herself caught up in a most beautiful cycle. It’s the cycle where, as we fall more in love with Jesus, we realise how full of sin we are. But as we realise how full of sin we are, we realise how much forgiveness we’ve received, and how kind Jesus is. And then we fall more in love with Jesus, and the whole cycle starts over again. It’s a cycle that doesn’t necessarily make sense, but, as the woman knows, it’s the most beautiful and life-changing cycle we can get caught in.
Prayer – Lord, help me to get caught up in this beautiful cycle. Thank you that despite my sin, you forgive me and love me. Thank you that when you look at me you don’t see what the world sees. Jesus, I love you.