(Luke 7:36-50 NIV) Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. {37} When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, {38} and 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 men 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 canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” {43} Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” “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–for she loved much. But he who 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.”
Jesus saves us by our faith
{50} Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Jesus’ host, Simon, did not believe that Jesus was a prophet, not to mention God. He did not even extend to Jesus the normal courtesy awarded to a guest.
But the prostitute believed that Jesus was from God and she went to Him in an act of repentance. Her faith saved her.
(Eph 2:8-9 NIV) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God– {9} not by works, so that no one can boast.
(Rom 9:30 NIV) What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith;
What is our response to our Lord?
37} When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, {38} and 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.
The woman loved Jesus because she had been forgiven of her sin. She did not hesitate to show her love for her Lord. We who have been forgiven of our sin, do we display the same love for our Lord? Or do we take this for granted? In our daily routine, do we take time to thank God for forgiving our sins?
The people around Jesus probably thought that this woman was excessive, overdoing it. But not Jesus. No amount of affection showered on Him is sufficient in comparison with what He has done for us.
Jesus was not concerned about your past, only your future
{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.”
The Pharisees took to heart that the person touching Jesus was a prostitute. But this fact did not bother Jesus at all. He was not concerned about how you have lived your life. He is more concerned about how you are going to live your life from now on.
Do not think that you cannot come to the Lord because you have done too much wrong. His grace is sufficient to cover whatever sins you have.
(Rom 5:20-21 NIV) But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, {21} so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.