“A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Luke 7:41-43

Is anyone ever too far gone? Unredeemable? In the story of the sinful woman recorded by Luke, the woman enters the home of the Pharisee hosting Jesus and pours expensive perfume on Jesus’ feet, washing his feet with her tears and drying his feet with her hair. It was scandalous, but Jesus had the last word.

Jesus pointed out the woman did what His host did not and then told the parable above. The Pharisee, Simon, understood the meaning of the story, but did he get it?

Luke then records Jesus forgiving her sins and that her faith had saved her.

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

Luke 7:47

Yes, Jesus was a friend of sinners and as a result, the woman’s life was changed.