Multitude Monday: A Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus' Feet

Luke 7:37-49 (Scripture in red italics, commentary in black.)

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. 

In ancient times it was common for meals to be public. This house was probably typical of well-to-do homes in the region, built around a courtyard which forms a hollow square. In the courtyard there might be a fountain and a cool garden where the household is partaking of a meal. When an important person came to dine, spectators were likely, though they weren't welcome to interact with the diners. 

Though this event occurred at the beginning of Jesus' ministry, (another woman anointed Jesus with perfume at the end of his ministry) this sinful woman had heard about Jesus the compassionate teacher, who dared to spend time with sinners and publicans. She came hoping to anoint his feet with perfume, despite knowing that her notorious reputation would make her unwelcome in the Pharisee's house. Her faith was great, making her bold, knowing that Jesus himself would not reject her, even if the other guests did.

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.

She did not come intending to cry, but only to anoint Jesus' clean feet. The Heavenly Father drew her (John 6:44) to this place and as she sat before Jesus, the burden of her sinful life overwhelmed her. She began weeping.

John 6:44

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.

A guest's feet would customarily be washed by a servant upon arrival and their head anointed with olive oil. Neither of these things were done for Jesus at this house, so as the woman's tears fell, the dirt on Jesus' feet ran and she wiped the dirt away with her hair. Remember that letting her hair down was uncustomary to say the least--a cause of shame even.

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.”

Simon had not invited Jesus to dinner to trap him, but merely to get to know him and understand him better. He hadn't known what to make of Jesus and his ministry, previously.

Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”

“Tell me, teacher,” he said.

“Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 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?”

Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.

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.You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

Just like in our story last week of the Ten Lepers, we find that our gratitude reveals our faith. This woman's faith that Jesus would receive her and have compassion on her, and her boldness in appearing before those who she knew would regard her with disdain, and her tears of gratitude at Jesus' grace and compassion, reveal her great love of the Savior. He who has been forgiven much, loves much.

Only one character leaves with salvation, as we saw with the Ten Lepers story. Not Simon or his other supper guests, not the nine lepers who failed to come back and thank Jesus. The leper who knelt down to lavishly thank Jesus, and this sinful woman whose thankful tears washed Jesus feet, were saved. 

They weren't saved as a result of their works. Rather, their works, their love, revealed their faith, and their faith justified them. Just as Abraham's faith justified him, and our faith in Jesus' blood justifies, saves, us.

Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven...go in peace.”

The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”

The woman in this story was unnamed, but presumed to be a great sinner, such as a prostitute. Whenever a character in the Bible is unnamed, the character represents many people. This sinful woman? She is you. She is I. 

James 2:10
Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.

It doesn't matter if you were saved at the age of 5, or at the age of 31, or at the age of 70. You have sinned much, like this woman. We mustn't lose sight of that. We mustn't let our tears of gratitude dry up. 

This is especially difficult if you were saved young and never had opportunity to pursue a sinful lifestyle. You may represent Simon if you feel superior to others in this regard. But think of the lifestyle from which you were saved! This not of yourself, but the Grace of God. You would have pursued sin, had it not been for His grace...had it not been for the Father calling you to Himself.

You and I, we can't wash Jesus' feet with our tears of gratitude. Not yet. 

But what can we do now, to show our gratitude? Can we make it a priority to disciple our children every day? Can we stay in the Word and daily be reminded of our debt...and of our great love for Him? Can we commune with the Holy Spirit every day through prayer, praises, and giving thanks?

Thanks-living. This beautiful story is the most profound New Testament example of thanks-living. For this woman, she forgot all propriety and boldly worshiped her Jesus. She lived her gratitude.

Jesus challenges us to live against culture. To boldly give thanks, to boldly worship, to boldly obey, to boldly be the hands and feet of Jesus to a hungry, hurting world. Answer the challenge. 

Let us remember this woman, whose gratitude and love pleased Jesus exceedingly. 

Prayer Time: Dear Father, thank you for drawing me to yourself, for saving me from my sins. May I worship you with the same boldness this story illustrates. May we all feel the magnitude of your compassion, your grace, your love...and respond accordingly. Let us not be distracted by this world, but really live our gratitude. Keep the arrogance of Simon out of our hearts, Father. Let us walk humbly, act justly, love mercy.

In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Giving thanks today:

~ Husband's hugs and his gentle forgiveness of hormonal mood sins
~ Peter's ready forgiveness
~ Children's prayers
~ Paul's work ethic and diligent piano practice
~ Mary's generous hugs and love
~ Holy Spirit reminders
~ Family dinners
~ Wild grace
~ The Father calling me those 15 years ago
~ daily grace raining down 
~ The Word
~ Prayer partners

What are you thankful for today, my friend?

Giving thanks with Ann today.