Today I was reminded of the Portuguese word caro" meaning expensive. The gospels of Luke (7:37ff) and John 12 (1ff) give us an account of a sinful woman washing Jesus's feet with her tears and her long hair; then she lavishes expensive perfume on His feet. It was the custom in those days to wash a guest's sandy sandalled feet. This woman recognised Jesus as her saviour and showed her love for Him in this extravagant expensive way. Jesus said that "whoever has been forgiven little loves little'. This woman was doing the opposite of loving a little. Also, from what was she forgiven?Jesus said "Her many sins have been forgiven ... Your faith has saved you. Go in peace". In His pending death on the cross, death could not hold Jesus because death is associated with sin and He has never sinned. He came as a human baby in the first place so that His sacrifice on the cross saves all humankind who accepts the gift. Jesus takes away all of our sin - past, present and future, because He is above death. Death is associated with sin. With no sin there is no death. Instead we have eternity. This is a free gift and, like this sinful woman, we can "go in peace". Do we also want to give Jesus our love and gratitude, truly believing that we are not perfect, need Him and that He has saved us from death?
