One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

♱ Luke 7:36-40 ♱

She was infamous … everyone knew her. That is to say everyone knew her reputation. But Jesus saw something more. “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:47)

The room was full of people who thought they were good with God. Religious, respected, comfortable. Jesus was sitting at the table ⏤ but He wasn’t honored. There was no water for His feet. No one greeted Him. He was invited ⏤ but not valued.

Then suddenly, she walked in. Everything changed. Everyone in that room knew her, not by name ⏤ by reputation. A sinful woman. The kind you avoid. The kind people talk about. She didn’t belong there but she showed up anyway. Not to explain herself. Not to defend her past. She came because Jesus was there.

She stood behind Him, filled with wonder, speechless, tears falling to His feet. Not the quiet tears that almost seem superficial, but the kind that come from a heart that recognizes it’s need for grace and mercy. The tears landed on His feet, mixing with the dust. She dropped down to her knees, wiping them with her hair, kissing them again and again, pouring out everything she had. And the room grew uncomfortably still. Religion doesn’t know what to do with that kind of desperation. Simon, the Pharisee, judged her, ‘If He knew who she was…’ But Jesus did know. He knew her past. He knew her sin. But He also knew her heart.

And then, in another of His amazing parables, He uncovers something deeper. Two people owed a debt. One small, one colossal. Both were forgiven. Jesus asked, “Who will love more?” Simon answered correctly, but completely missed the point. The issue wasn’t knowledge, it was awareness. Simon didn’t realize his need. She did. That’s why she loved the way she did. Then Jesus turns to her and says what no one else would say ⏤ what no one else could say: “Your sins are forgiven… your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Luke 7:48,50) In one earth-shattering moment everything changed. She walked in carrying shame. She walked out carrying peace!

And here’s where it becomes real. The depth of our love for Jesus is proportionate to our awareness of what He has forgiven us. If you think you’ve been forgiven only a little, you’ll love only a little. But when you recognize the weight of what He’s pulled you out of ⏤ love pours out of you. It’s not forced. It’s not religious. It’s real. And that kind of love moves mountains! ☧

You can read the entire story here: Luke 7: 36-50.