She came without a word, uninvited.
The profound recognition of her need overcame her deep sense of unworthiness. She slipped into the house, knelt at the feet of Jesus and wept, washing his feet with her tears.
Drying his feet with her hair, she anointed them with expensive perfume.
Her actions filled the room with judgments.
“If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
Luke 7:39
“Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.” Mark 14:4-6
As those present rebuke her, Jesus speaks “Leave her alone, why are you bothering her?” His words silence the room.
“She has done a beautiful thing to me.”
Then he pronounces that this action by an unnamed woman will be memorialized;
“What she has done for me will be told wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world.”
Turning to the woman, he declares.
“Your sins are forgiven.”
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
We often can’t understand his incredible mercy.
Our religious mindsets may declare;
How can this be? This is not the way it’s done!
She has not openly repented!
She has not confessed her sins!
She has not openly confessed that Jesus is “Lord.”
Yet, Jesus proclaims forgiveness and salvation.
The recognition of Jesus, is a recognition of our sinfulness.
Peter had the revelation of his sinfulness because of a miracle.
“When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Luke 5:8
This woman had a revelation of her sinfulness, and went searching for her redeemer.
The revelation of our fallen nature and the realization that Jesus is the only way out seems to be all that is required to receive his forgiveness and salvation.
No major prayer, no preparation, no steps needed, only a recognition of who we are and who he is.
And all of heaven’s grace follows.
The profound recognition of her need overcame her deep sense of unworthiness. She slipped into the house, knelt at the feet of Jesus and wept, washing his feet with her tears.
Drying his feet with her hair, she anointed them with expensive perfume.
Her actions filled the room with judgments.
“If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
Luke 7:39
“Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly.” Mark 14:4-6
As those present rebuke her, Jesus speaks “Leave her alone, why are you bothering her?” His words silence the room.
“She has done a beautiful thing to me.”
Then he pronounces that this action by an unnamed woman will be memorialized;
“What she has done for me will be told wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world.”
Turning to the woman, he declares.
“Your sins are forgiven.”
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
We often can’t understand his incredible mercy.
Our religious mindsets may declare;
How can this be? This is not the way it’s done!
She has not openly repented!
She has not confessed her sins!
She has not openly confessed that Jesus is “Lord.”
Yet, Jesus proclaims forgiveness and salvation.
The recognition of Jesus, is a recognition of our sinfulness.
Peter had the revelation of his sinfulness because of a miracle.
“When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” Luke 5:8
This woman had a revelation of her sinfulness, and went searching for her redeemer.
The revelation of our fallen nature and the realization that Jesus is the only way out seems to be all that is required to receive his forgiveness and salvation.
No major prayer, no preparation, no steps needed, only a recognition of who we are and who he is.
And all of heaven’s grace follows.
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