Luke 7:36-8:3 (NRSV)
Read Luke 7:36-8:3 on biblegateway.com
Verse 36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. Verse 37And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. Verse 38She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Verse 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him-that she is a sinner." Verse 40Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "Speak." Verse 41"A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Verse 42When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" Verse 43Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." Verse 44Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. Verse 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. Verse 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Verse 47Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." Verse 48Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Verse 49But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Verse 50And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Chapter 8Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, Verse 2as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Verse 3and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
Devotion
“Who are you, Jesus?” This was the question asked by John the Baptist and others who had encountered Jesus or heard about him. “Are you a prophet? More than a prophet? The messiah?”
The woman in this story, identified as a sinner from the city, an outsider, had no hesitation. She barged into a banquet given by Simon the Pharisee and fell at Jesus’ feet with love beyond words. Tears, kisses, anointing. No words. No questions. Only tears, kisses and a treasured ointment from the sinner for the Savior.
When do we – like the woman – see Jesus in our midst? Can we call him by name in times of trial as well as times of joy? In my own ministry, I stood facing a mother and wife, as she walked toward me. Just hours before, the family had experienced the tragic death of their daughter. This mother came toward me clutching a picture of Jesus. Over and over, she repeated in the midst her tears and sobs, "I love you, Jesus. I love you, Jesus. I love you, Jesus."
Prayer
Savior Lord, help us to recognize our need for you. Deepen our love for you. Meet us in our questions. Grow us in faith toward you and in love for others. In the name of Jesus. Amen.