Luke 7:36-5036And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37And, 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, 38And 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. 39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47Wherefore 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. 48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. (Luke 7:36‑50)
In this seventh of Luke we have a most lovely picture of the grace and the glory of the Lord Jesus in the scene in the house of Simon the Pharisee. Simon had bidden Jesus to a feast, thinking He was a prophet; but, to his great offense, He suffers a woman of the city, a sinner, to embrace His feet and, washing them with her tears, to wipe them with the hairs of her head. Simon thought that if Jesus had been a prophet He would have known who and what sort of a woman this was who touched Him, "for," said he, "she is a sinner." But now the Lord's turn comes, and He lets Simon know that He knew both him and the woman; and out of the mouth of the Pharisee himself, He brings the explanation of her conduct, so strange in his eyes; and his own condemnation because he had not done likewise. For truth came by Jesus Christ. He was the true light, which made every man manifest. Simon is laid bare to his own eyes in the presence of the Son of God, whilst the woman is set forth in all the fragrance of her sacrifice.
Jesus relates the parable of the two debtors, the one owing five hundred pence and the other fifty; and the grace of the creditor, who, seeing they had nothing to pay, frankly forgave them both. And then He gets from Simon the acknowledgment that love was due on the part of both for such royal grace; but most love from him to whom most was forgiven. And then at once, as so often in the gospels, the Lord takes His own place of preeminence and glory, and places Simon at His bar. Turning to the woman, He said unto Simon, " Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst 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."
The Lord reveals to Simon that He was the creditor, and that the Pharisee was His debtor as well as the woman; but alas! for him, he thought little of his debt, and cared nothing for the grace that was there to forgive. There was no love. But the woman loved much. She knew the greatness of her debt, and that she had nothing to pay; but, O! the love of that blessed One, whose feet she could not cease to kiss. He had freely forgiven her all. What could she do but love Him? And O! the grace of Jesus, He accepts that woman's tears. Tears contrition, joy, and affection were there all centering on Him. And heaven was gazing with interest on this scene which offended the cold heart of the Pharisee. Yes, with joy; for there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. And, O! what joy to Jesus! He had found His sheep which was lost; and, having found it, He lays it on His shoulders rejoicing. His love had reached this poor woman's heart, and He knew how to accept and to justify hers. In Simon's eyes she was but a sinner, whom he would not touch; in the eyes of Jesus she is one of His ransomed ones, drawn to Him of the Father in the faith of His perfect grace. She believed He would receive her; she believed that He would, although no one else would. Ah! her eye had been opened of the Father to see in Jesus the friend of sinners. She was a sinner and she wanted the friend of sinners. One who could receive her in all her sins and yet deliver her from them.
She wanted a Savior. The sinner touches the Holy One, and through Him she becomes holy too. Thenceforth she belongs to God. Her faith had saved her. She loved much because she had much forgiven- and she had all forgiven because she believed. She expected such a welcome as this from such an one as Jesus, and she got it because she expected it. She wanted it; He had it to give. He had love enough to give it. She believed He would give it to her. She gave Him credit for what He professed to be-a Savior; for what God had set Him forth as being-Jesus; who came into the world to save sinners, and who came to them because He LOVED them. This the woman believed. She believed that He loved her, and that He loved her just because she was a sinner. Did He disappoint her confidence? Did He ever disappoint confidence in His love? Never. And mark again, the woman had nothing to commend her. She was but a sinner-a woman of the city. Yes; let me say it-a harlot! Will Jesus receive such? Will the Son of God let her touch Him? Will not that Holy One retire from the presence of such a polluted one? Ah I He came to meet her He was there to receive her, and to assure her of His grace.
He came, not to call the righteous, but sinners; and sinners He called because He loved them. And, blessed be His name, He loves such still. He has a place in His heart for such. 0, what a large place! And more, He lets them know it. He calls them to His bosom. He lets them know that if others reject them, He receives sinners-that He plucks brands from the burning. He takes away their filthy garments, and clothes them with change of raiment. And what is more, He makes them His friends. There was the interchange of divine affections between Jesus and this woman of the city. He accepted her love. 0 wondrous grace! And this tie is an eternal one; for He saves us for eternal glory with Himself. Blessed and adorable Savior
Jesus, thine everlasting grace
Our scanty thought surpasses far.
Thy heart still melts with tenderness-
Thine arms of love still open are,
Repenting sinners to receive,
That MERCY they may taste and live.
" Whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely."