Much Love

She's a woman, who has lived a fast life...  The Bible calls her a sinner, but most believe that she was a harlot, a prostitute.  What was she thinking that day that she walked into the Pharisee's home?  I'm sure she knew what everyone there would be thinking.  They were all "good people".  The host was a religious leader, he would know exactly who she was, but she didn't care, she had to take the chance.  She had never been this close to him before, Jesus, he was here, and she had to see him.  She had heard him speak before, and the words he spoke had changed her life.  His words had gone to the depths of her soul and given her hope for a real future, one without being used and abused by men.  His words of God's love and forgiveness, for even her sin, which most would say was the worst of all. 

As she walked through the door she had only one thing on her mind, she had to get to him.  In her hands she clutched a bottle of expensive ointment, she had purchased it just for this.  All the men were lounging around low tables, with their feet behind them, talking about religion and asking Jesus questions.  The room was full and if she had been in her right mind this is the last place she would ever be.  In the dark of night she may have seen some of these same men, but in the light of the day, she would have been less than pond scum to them. 

There he was, Jesus.  Her heart swelled when she looked at him.  Her love for him and gratitude could no longer be held in.  She started weeping and kneeled down before him.  Not able to look up or say anything to her Savior, she kept her head down, crying.  She pulled out the bottle and poured it on His feet.  She didn't care that this was the job of a servant, she would do anything for him.  She rubbed the ointment into his skin, as the tears dropped onto his feet, with no towel to dry his feet, she let down her hair, and wiped his feet with her hair.  She was so overcome with her love for him and lost in the moment, she didn't even hear the conversation going on around her.

Simon, the Pharisee, is thinking "If Jesus was a prophet, he would know what kind of woman this is that touches him, for she is a sinner."

Jesus knows his thoughts...  His heart aches, because this is the very reason he has come.  People have forgotten what God really wants from them.  They are so wrapped up in their own "goodness" that they condemn anyone they deem unworthy.  There's so much hate, so much brokenness and this is just another example.  He says "Simon, I have something to say to you."

"Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water to wash my feet: but she has washed them with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.  You gave me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in has not ceased to kiss my feet.  My head you did not anoint with oil, but this woman has anointed my feet with ointment.  Wherefore I say unto you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom is forgiven little, the same loves little."

This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible.  This is one of the reasons that I love Jesus much.  I was once the same kind of woman.  I felt like I was unworthy of love.  I was hopeless that my future could be any different, but one day I heard the words of Jesus.  I heard "Your sins have been forgiven".  I experienced the unconditional love of God and I was changed.  I love Jesus much, because I too have been forgiven much. 

Oh, what a Savior.