A Journey to Easter - Day 36
- Debbra Stephens
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
(Luke 7:36-38 ESV)
Gratitude has a force all its own. And that force is evident in this unnamed woman. It’s a force which produces action. A force for courage. A force that even evokes tears.
Also visible in this scene is a rigid piety. One which lacked mercy. Lacked heart. Lacked love and compassion. A piety which blinded its vessel of his own need for forgiveness.
Uninvited, and unrestrained, this woman dared to enter this gathering to express a love so great. Her lavish demonstration stands in stark contrast to the host’s lack in providing even the basic, customary hospitality toward his Honored Guest (Luke 7:44).
We deem Simon, the Pharisee, harsh in his judgement toward this woman. In an honor shame culture foreign to us, it wasn’t uncommon for the times. And yet, Jesus allowed this sinful woman’s worship. Though inestimably holy, Jesus is approachable—receiving repentant sinners. To those unworthy to untie the sandals of His feet, He extends an invitation to come. And she did. This immoral woman, whose sins were many, would not be shunned by a merciful Savior (Luke 7:37, 47).
Jesus seized the opportunity to serve up a transformative parable for the guests to feast upon (Luke 7:41-42). In unparalleled wit and brilliance, Jesus presented the rival responses of two vastly different debtors. Even Simon had to admit that the person forgiven a larger debt would possess greater love (Matthew 7:43).
Greater love is not something you hide under a basket.
Jesus commended the woman for her faith—not her actions. It wasn’t what she did that earned His favor. His forgiveness. That was already hers. The immensity of her love flowed from an immense debt forgiven. And now He blessed her further with peace (Luke 7:50).
The forgiven can rise from their tears and walk in peace.
In another highly charged moment, Jesus corrected the false beliefs of sin… and those who bear them. Before a crowd of stone-wielding men Jesus contended, “Let the one without sin cast the first stone” (John 8:7). They dropped their stones. As should we. For none are without sin (Romans 3:23).
Let all—whose individual sins are greater than the national debt—wet His feet with tears. And love much.
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