One of those religious leaders, Simon, invited Jesus to his house to eat (7:36), but his motive was to find a reason to make an accusation against Him (6:7). While they were eating, Luke writes that “a woman in the city who was a sinner…brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil” (7:37-38). This woman, a prostitute, had come seeking forgiveness of sin from Jesus and her repentance was exemplified by her weeping in the presence of Jesus; her actions were simply an expression of humility, desperation, and worship. Instead of rejoicing at this woman’s deep sorrow over her sin, Simon (the Pharisee) thinks in his heart, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner” (7:39). Rather than celebrating the prostitute’s humility, Simon was more concerned with her character and the fact that Jesus would allow her to be in His presence. Jesus knew the thoughts of Simon and then spoke to him in a parable saying, “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” (7:40-42) Jesus’ point is clear. The woman had much sin in her past, but Jesus’ forgiveness of all her wrongdoing caused her to express herself in a spirit of humility and worship.
Turning to the woman Jesus says to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil” (7:43-46). At the host, Simon should have treated Jesus as an honored guest, but he did not. But this woman, a prostitute had shown Jesus honor by expressing her worship toward Him, which is what Simon should have done. Jesus then says to Simon, “…her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (7:47). Jesus then focuses on the woman and says, “Your sins are forgiven…. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (7:48, 50). Even though this woman had lived a life of regret, her willingness to repent and have faith in Jesus provided a second chance at life. Do you need a second chance?
Dear God, thank You for offering forgiveness to those who will repent and believe. Even though our sins are many, You have loved us unconditionally.
