Luke 7:36-5036And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. 37And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. (Luke 7:36‑50)
A great sinner once came to the Lord Jesus. She stood weeping at His feet. What a blessed place for a sinner to be found!
She knew she was a sinner; the proud Pharisee knew she was a sinner; but more, God knew she was a sinner, and Jesus is God.
What brought her to that house? Surely, Simon the Pharisee had not invited her! Is she not afraid to enter unasked?
"When she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house,"—this was enough; this gave her boldness; this inspired her with confidence. Jesus was there. She came and "stood at His feet behind Him weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment."
But why was she not afraid of Jesus? Did He not know all her sins? Did He not know them to be MANY? He did; but listen! She hears Him say, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven." He did not say "Her sins are too many to be forgiven;" no, no, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven."
Perhaps she might say, "But is this really true of me? Is it of my sins He speaks, when He says they are forgiven? Mine surely are many, but are they not too many? too black? Can it possibly be my many sins that are forgiven?"
Again that blessed One speaks, but this time He turns to her; He looks straight at her; He speaks to her, and "He said unto her, THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN."
Now there can be no doubt, "Thy sins are forgiven."
What blessed words! But what had she done to deserve it? Nothing. She just simply came with all her sins to Jesus. He knew them all, and He knew they were many. He does not make light of them; He could not. To bear the heavy burden of sins was no light matter—yes, to suffer and to die for them.