
Imagine it! You’ve been invited to accompany Jesus and His Apostles to a banquet held at the home of a prominent religious leader, a Pharisee. In the large dining hall, wealthy, powerful men recline around the low table. The feast is impressive with roasted meat, freshly baked bread, in-season fruits and vegetables, and delightful wine.
As the men jabber and jest, a woman slips in the side door. Most of the men in the room know her, but nobody acknowledges her presence. It’s quite possible that some of the guests had paid the woman for her services… she was a prostitute. Apparently, she was good at her work and ran a rather lucrative business.
The woman walks directly to Jesus where He rests on a cushion, propped up on his elbow with His feet extending away from the table. In her hand is a small vile of expensive perfume… the kind worn by a queen. Falling at the Lord’s feet, she was “weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume” (Luke 7:38).
Every eye is trained on the woman. The room is silent; so silent that one might have heard her teardrops fall on Jesus’ dusty feet. It’s almost unbelievable! It’s certainly unforgettable!
The stillness is broken as the host sneers, “This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—she’s a sinner!” (Luke 7:39).
Jesus responds: “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came in. You didn’t anoint my head with olive oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little” (Luke 7:44–47).
With kindness and compassion Jesus admires the prostitute’s extravagant sacrifice and her passionate worship. “Your sins are forgiven… Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 7:48, 50).
With a front-row seat to this magnificent moment, Peter must have marveled at his Master’s mercy!
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).

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