Our story today takes place at the town of Bethany, a short walking distance from Jerusalem. The main characters are Simon (a Pharisee), Jesus, and a certain notorious woman from that town. It’s evening time and Jesus is reclining in the house of Simon, having accepted a dinner invitation from him. Also present are several of Simon’s religious associates.

Doctor Luke recorded… One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and reclined to eat.  When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them (7:36-38).

When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She is a sinner!” Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” He said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.” “Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied (vv. 39-40).

Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, cancelling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” “That’s right,” Jesus said (vv. 41-43). 

Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you did notoffer me waterto wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglectedthe courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.” “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven” (vv. 44-48).

The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins?” And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (vv. 49-50).

A closer examination of the characters in our story is helpful to our investigation.

Firstly – Simon
Simon was a member of the prestigious, religious order of Pharisees, which gave him significant social standing. His perspective was purely “religious”: rules, regulations, and rituals… not relationships! His sole motivation for inviting Jesus to dinner was to “examine” Him… to size-him-up! Simon showed rudeness to his guest by ignoring certain cultural courtesies, such as; providing water for his hands and feet, greeting Jesus with a brotherly kiss on the cheek, and offering oil for anointing His head. Simon lacked compassion towards the woman… he was hard-hearted, loveless, and spiritually blind!

Secondly – Jesus
Jesus was Simon’s special dinner guest. He was an itinerant Bible teacher… unlike anyone else! He was a miracle worker and caster-out of demons… not a bad CV! Jesus was viewed by the religious-political order as a dangerous mis-fit and was targeted for removal. One way or another, Jesus had to go!

Thirdly – The woman
The woman’s name is not mentioned. She had an earlier encounter with Jesus that dramatically changed her life. Uninvited, she “gate-crashed” the party. She was a well-known immoral woman of the town… she did not belong in that exclusive private setting. In the eyes of Simon, his friends and the Jewish culture, the woman further disgraced herself through her actions–her hair was uncovered, and she touched a man in public… anointing Him with perfume!

Fourthly – Simon’s associates
This privileged group of men were silent, judgmental, religious observers who were there for the sole purpose of examining Jesus… hoping to find some fault with Him. They too were hard-hearted, loveless, and spiritually blind.

Friends, the “stand-alone” hero of our story is the woman who had privately lived an immoral life… but who now publicly lived as a repentant sinner! Her courageous example in doing what was right, in a hostile setting, was accepted by the Lord and treasured in Scripture. While the extent of the woman’s show of love for Jesus was not excessive, but well-deserved, her public demonstration of her love for Him further exposed her to harsher criticism and treatment by the religious elite.  (“How much do you love Him?” concludes next week.)

Best wishes
Bill