In the touching scene that took place in Simon the Pharisee's house, we are permitted to gaze upon that most wonderful sight – a meeting between the Saviour and the sinner. A poor woman who was known in the city as a sinner – and therefore we may conclude a fallen woman – had heard of Jesus. She had heard the people saying that Jesus was "a Friend of publicans and sinners." She had probably heard, from His own lips, that gracious invitation, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Weary of her terrible life, with a conscience burdened with her sins, without a friend in the world, she hears of Jesus, the Son of God. She hears that He is the Friend of sinners and that He bids her come.
Driven by her need, and drawn by His grace, she comes to Jesus; and in this fine scene we are permitted to see the result of a sinner coming to the Saviour. She felt that, at all cost, she must get into the presence of this wonderful Saviour. So she enters the Pharisee's house and goes straight to the feet of Jesus. At first no word is spoken, but two things happen, for we read, "She stood at His feet behind Him weeping," and she "kissed His feet." Those tears tell of a heart that is broken; those kisses, of a heart that is won.
What was it that broke her heart? What was it that won her heart? Was it not that she saw her life, with all its sins, in the presence of His heart with all its love and grace? She discovered that His grace was greater than her sins, and that though He knew the worst about her, yet He loved her, and did not drive her away or utter one word of reproach. She could hold out against the scorn of men, and the sneers of the Pharisee, but such love as this broke her heart. It is not the badness of man, but the goodness of God that leads to repentance (Rom. 2:44Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? (Romans 2:4)).
Having broken her heart by His grace He binds up her heart with His words of love, for, He says, "Thy sins are forgiven. ... Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" (vss. 48-50).
The way of this brokenhearted woman is still the way of blessing for any poor sinner.
Firstly, we are made conscious of our sins and need.
Secondly, God in His grace brings us the good news of the only One who can meet our need. We hear of the Saviour who came into the world to save sinners, who has given Himself a ransom for all, and offered Himself without spot to God, and so satisfied God by His mighty work on the cross, that God can proclaim forgiveness to a world of sinners, and invite whosoever will to believe in Jesus.
Blessed moment when, having learned our need and heard of Jesus, we believe and turn to Him, to find ourselves alone in His presence, conscious of our sins, but realizing that, in spite of knowing all our sins, He loves us. Such love will break our hearts and win them forever.