Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Luke 7:36-50 (NIV)
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he 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.” 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. 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.” 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.”
What does Jesus see in this woman that Simon doesn’t?
Holy God, thank you for this woman as an example of someone who engaged with Jesus with all of her emotions. She was willing to risk rejection and give of herself practically, emotionally and financially to show her love and devotion to You. Jesus, You saw her heart, rather than her past. Simon didn’t realize how much he needed forgiveness. The women did. Lord God, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I can’t pay off my debts. But through the cross You forgave all of my sins. Fill me today with an overflowing love for You and for others. Help me to share the love of Jesus with this world. Let everything I do be a reflection of my love for You. I used to be hopeless, now I have hope, not because of who I am but for what Jesus has done for me. Amen