Can love be measured, if so, how? We all want and need love, but where can it be found and how can it be obtained? Some try to secure love in their own efforts, but ultimately find it snatched away in despair. Songs of lost love and broken hearts seem to never leave the music charts. Everyone can relate at some level, if only by our yearning for love. It is not necessary to have a broken heart, love is available for all. “What does it require, I’ve tried everything”, you say. 

Yeshua (Jesus’ Hebrew name) was invited to dinner by a religious leader named Simon. A woman came in crying, anointed Yeshua’s feet with perfume and dried them with her hair. Simon said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” Yeshua 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. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” (Luke 7:39,44-47) Our love is proportional to the forgiveness we seek and need and the love we give others is a reflection of our desire for forgiveness. It can’t be manufactured or pretended, love and sincerity are integral. Even our thoughts are open to God and He answers our questions in His mercy. 

“Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven….Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’ ” (Luke 7:48,50) What the woman sought and needed she received, but Simon only received an answer to the questions and judgments in his mind. He had little or no faith, while the Woman recognized Yeshua as Israel’s Messiah and responded appropriately with a deep demonstration of affection. She received peace and salvation, while Simon received a lesson. In our quest for love, faith must play a pivotal role. Faith in God opens doors and removes barriers to our ability to receive that which we need most. It is from God that every good and perfect gift comes. Let’s give our broken hearts to Him and receive His forgiveness, peace, and love.