Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. (Luke 7:36)
Wow, a Pharisee asks Jesus to his house for a meal! And He accepts! “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you; (Matthew 5:43-44; see THE GOSPEL: Watch Our Mouth, and Responses) And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil. (Luke 7:37-38) What a beautiful example of blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:1; see THE GOSPEL: "Beattitudes" Lesson) When we "come into the presence", the true knowledge and understanding of who Christ Jesus is, it should cause us to see ourselves for who we really are; O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death [of sin]? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:24-25)
Alabaster was very expensive, a finely granular variety of gypsum, often white and translucent; it was only used for very important purposes. Alabaster historically was a symbol of purity and great honour. The scripture does not go into details, but it's safe to consider that this woman was able to purchase such an expensive item from the income she made as a prostitute, and then purchase the perfume that was in the box as in "investment", just as we invest our money today in things we hope will increase in value later. So imagine the people viewing this disbelief that she is pouring this "investment" on Jesus' feet, or in their minds, throwing it away! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne. “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.” (Revelations 3:17-22 NLT)
Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “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.” And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” (Luke 7:39-40) We can always depend on the Pharisees to "miss the point"! The Pharisee, Simon (not Simon Peter, the disciple) invited Jesus into his home to eat with him; But he did not invite Him "into his heart", where Jesus says, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends." However, not only does this sinful woman "burst through" Simon's front door and into his home, but she stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet; she submits to Christ Jesus completely! As we will study in a future lesson, Jesus has a lot of stern warnings for the Pharisees, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" (Matthew 23; see THE GOSPEL: "Woe!" Don't be Rebuked)
But for now, Jesus explains to them how this sinful woman has so much more understanding and wisdom than their "religious", "pious" selves: “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 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 7:41-47)
Because the main form of transporation back then was walking or riding an animal along unpaved dirt roads, most people would always have a pot of water at the entrance of their house, so that their guests could wash and clean their feet. Then they would give them oil, nothing special, usually olive oil, just something to moisturize their skin. Once in the house, the custom was to greet eachother with a kiss on the cheek, as a sign of welcoming the guests into the home. Not only did Simon, this "all knowing" Pharisee of Jewish customs and traditions not do any of these things, but this sinful woman did all and more, and this wasn't even her house!
Jesus explains all of us "owe a debt" to God, and all of us have nothing with which to repay. So therefore, God freely forgave all of us! If we ever come to the realization of what God has done for us, through His Son, Christ Jesus, then just like this sinful woman, hopefully our response to Christ will be the same, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But if we have the attitude like the Pharisees and think we're just fine the way we are, then to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Luke 7:48-50) Jesus doesn't say it here, but it's implied by the statement, Go in peace, that the woman, and all of us who come to believing faith in Christ Jesus are to not only Go in peace, but also ...go and sin no more. (John 8:11)
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