The Occasional Occurence

I was reading Luke 7:36-50 the other day, the story of the "sinful" woman washing annointing Jesus's feet, and it caught my attention.

Jesus said to Simon in verse 47, "... he who has been forgiven little loves little."

How should one take this statement? Did Simon's sins need less forgiveness (meaning the woman's sins were greater than his)? Did Simon himself think he had less need for forgiveness and thus receiving less forgiveness and showing less love?

I guess the reason I am wondering is sometimes I feel like I could love Jesus more if I had lead a very sinful life and then had a "conversion experience." Instead, since a very young age, I have tried to lead a life pleasing to God.

I know that to God all our sins are equal and my sin would keep me out of heaven as much as a murdering drug dealer's sins would. But from a human standpoint, who is going to be more thankful for forgiveness? Me or the murdering drug dealer? Personally, I would say him.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for salvation, and I love Jesus. But maybe it is another part of the mystery of God that He gives to those who lived "farthest" from Him a greater love for Him when they give their lives to Him?

cw