Introduction
Luke 7:36–50: Jesus dines at the home of a Pharisee. A woman known for her sinful life enters the house and washes Jesus’s feet with her tears and dries them with her hair.
Today’s Key Verse: Luke 7:37b–38
She brought an alabaster jar full of perfume and stood behind Jesus, by his feet, crying and wetting his feet with her tears. Then she dried his feet with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them.
Reading
36 A Pharisee invited Jesus to have dinner with him, and Jesus went to his house and sat down to eat. 37 In that town was a woman who lived a sinful life. She heard that Jesus was eating in the Pharisee’s house, so she brought an alabaster jar full of perfume 38 and stood behind Jesus, by his feet, crying and wetting his feet with her tears. Then she dried his feet with her hair, kissed them, and poured the perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee saw this, he said to himself, “If this man really were a prophet, he would know who this woman is who is touching him; he would know what kind of sinful life she lives!”
40 Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Yes, Teacher,” he said, “tell me.”
41 “There were two men who owed money to a moneylender,” Jesus began. “One owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other owed him fifty. 42 Neither of them could pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Which one, then, will love him more?”
43 “I suppose,” answered Simon, “that it would be the one who was forgiven more.”
“You are right,” said Jesus. 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your home, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You did not welcome me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing my feet since I came. 46 You provided no olive oil for my head, but she has covered my feet with perfume. 47 I tell you, then, the great love she has shown proves that her many sins have been forgiven. But whoever has been forgiven little shows only a little love.”
48 Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The others sitting at the table began to say to themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”
50 But Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Reflect
According to Jewish law, anyone who touched a sinner would become ritually unclean and would have to live apart from the community (Leviticus 15:31). Simon the Pharisee would be strict about avoiding anyone like this woman. How does Simon react when Jesus allows the woman to touch him? Since most people wore open sandals, honored guests in someone’s home were usually offered water to wash their feet. What does Jesus say to Simon? What does he say to the woman? What does this story teach you about Jesus?
Pray
Lord Jesus, I love you and want to serve you and live according to your teachings. Thank you for loving me and forgiving my sins. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
John 17:1–26: Jesus prays for his followers.
