Love That Binds Everything Together in Perfect Unity
A. People who love God
1. Virtue (3:12-13a)
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
2. Foundation (13b-14)
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven―as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
3. Thanksgiving (3:15-17)
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven―as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
B. Making love complete in all relationships (3:18-4:1)
47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven―as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Summary
The inward characteristics of those who follow Jesus grow out of his love; they cannot be attained through our own efforts. Our love is made complete as we learn to love as we have been loved. Paul's teachings for specific types of people in this passage reflect the needs and concerns of the Colossian church, and so for us, his teachings are not limited by those categories. The more important thing is to focus on responding to God's love and making it the foundation of our love in all relationships.
For Discussion
1) Should we give thanks to God for everything?
2) How is love described in this passage?