Forgiven is a word we all need to say or hear from time to time. When we have yelled at our children because we didn’t feel good or were frustrated about something else. It may be from a spouse we said things to that we did not mean because something else hit a nerve. It may also be because we have intentionally done something that hurt another person. In Luke chapter seven, we find a sinful woman is forgiven, and it causes quite a stir.
In verse 36, Jesus has been invited to the home of a Pharisee for dinner. A Pharisee was a religious leader, known for keeping the religious laws and adding to them. They were considered in the Bible to be self-righteous. We see in verse 36 that Jesus “went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat.”
Everything went fine at the “meet and greet” portion of the evening, but things were about to change. An uninvited guest was going to cause a stir with everyone but Jesus. A woman whom the Bible says is a sinner enters the home. We do not know for sure what her sin was, nor do we know who she was. Some have speculated she was Mary Magdalene, but there is nothing written to support that view. However, to be classified by all as a sinner, her sin would have been something that was deplorable to the public. She was an outcast to the average person. Commentaries call her an abandoned woman and probably a prostitute. Her life would not have been one accepted by others.
She comes to the home of the Pharisee and enters on her own. While the men were reclining for dinner, as was customary because the tables were so low that they would prop on their elbow and their feet would stick out behind them, she came to Jesus’ feet and anointed them. She brought an alabaster box of ointment. For this period of time, this would have been something of value. It was probably the most valuable thing that she owned. As she stands behind him, she is weeping, and her tears are dropping on His feet. She uses her long hair to wipe the tears from His feet, along with the dirt that was on them. She kissed them, broke open the box, and poured out the ointment on them. This was a gentle, humble, yet profound act of love for Jesus.
Luke 7:37-38 “And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.”
Now, things begin to get tense as the Pharisee is surprised that Jesus would let this woman of ill repute touch Him. Simon the Pharisee thought to himself that Jesus should have known she was a sinner and not allowed such an improper display. Jesus knew what his host was thinking, and in verses 40-42, He replies, “Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor who had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him most? In 45, Simon replies, “I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most.” Jesus replies, “Thou hast rightly judged.”
I am sure all who were there were shocked at what had just happened. This woman, who had let herself in, had touched Jesus. Jesus knew what Simon was thinking and responded to the thought. I can imagine others sitting around the table were taking in the show and keeping their mouths shut. They had no idea where this conversation would end. In a Pharisee’s home, this woman would never have been invited, nor would she have been allowed to stay or bother a guest in any way. In front of everyone, Jesus uses her as an example of what they should have done for Him. The things He mentions were a customary way to treat any guest.
Jesus turns to His host and says, “See this woman? I entered into thine house, you gave me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. You gave me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil you did not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”
In Luke 7:48, Jesus turns to her and declares, “Thy sins are forgiven.” All of those who had been watching the “show” were now talking among themselves and saying, “Who is this man that can forgive sins?” Jesus again tells the woman in verse 50, “Thy faith has saved you, go in peace.”
Let’s do a fast track forward to today. Where would you be in this story? We want to think we would be like Jesus, and we should be. He seeks to save everyone. Yet, I’m afraid most would be like the Pharisee. Would we be looking with disdain at this woman who had interrupted our dinner? Hoping she would take her perfume elsewhere? Maybe you wouldn’t throw her out, but would you be like those sitting around the table wishing someone would? Or maybe you wanted to see the show!
Before you are quick to say I would have welcomed her and tried to help her, like Jesus, answer these questions. When was the last time you made a meal and welcomed someone you knew was a vile sinner? How about the visitor at church who is very different from you in almost every way? Do you pick and choose who should be worthy of your company? Do you neglect to speak to others because they don’t speak to you? If you answer these questions honestly, we probably all have much room for improvement. Just like Jesus helped so many others who were in need, He will help us, too. We can react the way He did if we want to please Him more than we want to please ourselves.
