The case of the woman of the city who was a sinner, in Luke 7, is peculiar. It stands alone in the midst of all the illustrations we get in the gospel narrations of poor sinners and their communion with Jesus.
We know not who she was. Her name is not recorded. No memorial of her whatever remains either in the world or in the Church, beyond this one notice of her in the Pharisee's house. The story serves the uses of the Spirit of God with our souls, and that is all.
She crosses the path of her blessed Savior only this once, and that but for a moment, and then retires to be heard of and seen no more. But this once is enough. More, I am bold to say, would have rather lowered the impression which the Spirit, as I judge, purposed to make.
She comes forth with the treasures of her heart and her house to worship the Lord. She comes behind Him as He sat at meat with Simon the Pharisee, and worships at His feet. Whether He would heed her or no, she inquires not—whether the Pharisee might upbraid her or no, she cares not. She was a true worshiper in the only sanctuary of God. She came as a heart-attracted sinner into the presence of her redeemer, with all that she either had or was, to lay them at His feet.
But what did she learn from Him? That she could be at home there—a sinner in enjoyment of assured and settled forgiveness. She came to Jesus with the expression of what her heart felt about Him; the life of her spirit shown out in her gift, and she was at home in His blessed presence, whoever or whatever might be there.
Her tears and her kisses and her ointment belonged to Jesus; and she brought Him on this occasion just what her "love," the fruit of her "faith," had already dedicated to Him, expressing in His presence the liberty and joy she was experiencing; and He sets her conscience at rest by the forgiveness of her sins.
This blessed woman came forth just on this one occasion to tell the secrets of her heart. She reminds one of Melchisedec, though that may sound strange. But her action reminds one of his. He came forth just on one great occasion to greet the conquering servant of God in the name of God, and to receive from Abram tithes of all. She comes forth just on one occasion to worship the Lord God of Abraham and of all pardoned sinners, with the fruits of faith and love, and to receive from Him some fresh token of His most precious peace and favor. Melchisedec presents God to the believing sinner, and this poor woman presents the believing sinner to God; but each of them just (on two several occasions) came forth to tell the secrets of their different sanctuaries—he, the secrets of the house and priesthood which God had appointed—she, the secrets of a trusting heart which the Holy Spirit had filled with treasure for Jesus!