A woman went to the house Jesus was in, uninvited but desperate to be forgiven. It was a Pharisee named Simon who had invited Jesus to his place for a meal. She knew she wouldn’t be welcomed, not because they did not know her, but because they knew of her, for she was a sinner.
Inside the house, she pressed behind Jesus, who was reclined on the ground eating. Weeping she approached, and with her tears, she wiped the Master’s feet. Using her hair, she wiped Jesus’ feet, kissing them, and anointing them with fragrant oil. The house is aghast!
Simon spoke to himself, mumbling, “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” (Luke 7:39, NKJV). Meanwhile the woman pressed her love and gratitude against Jesus’ skin, kissing and rubbing fragrant oil on His feet.
Two people who both needed Jesus; one found forgiveness and love, the other criticism and disbelief. The greater the debt, the greater the forgiveness of debt unlocks love. Jesus tells the parable and draws the comparison of the lack of knowing our real need and not believing the truth Jesus carries, leaves us not experiencing His love and forgiveness. “Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little” (Luke 7:47, NKJV).
Jesus said to the woman, now radiant in the love of Jesus, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 7:50, NKJV).
