Which of them will love him more?

It is a familiar story to students of the Bible.  Jesus was invited to eat at Simon the Pharisee's home.  A woman of the city who was known to be a sinful woman found out that Jesus was there.

We know what happened.  She wept over Jesus' feet, wiped them with her hair and anointed them with expensive ointment.

Simon didn't like that one little bit.  He decided Jesus couldn't possibly be a prophet or he would know what kind of woman was touching him and (he thought) would never allow such a thing.

Jesus answered Simon's thoughts with a brief story and a serious question.  A moneylender forgave the debts of two men, one of whom owed ten times more than the other.  Jesus asked, "Which of them will love him more?"  

When Simon gave the obvious answer Jesus proceeded to show him that this sinful woman was showing great love because she knew she was a sinner forgiven of much.  In contrast, Simon had not even offered water for the washing of dirty feet.  

Jesus said to Simon, "...he who is forgiven little, loves little."

Jesus wasn't saying that Simon didn't have much to be forgiven of.  It is Simon's attitude that is the problem.  Simon thought he was a pretty good guy.  Not a wicked sinner like that woman.  

What about you?  Do you look around and see wicked sinners and consider yourself pretty good?  Not much there that needs to be forgiven.  Try comparing yourself with the spotless lamb and see how well you come out.