A Woman Washes Jesus’ Feet

Praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us prayerfully read Luke 7:36-50 :

³⁶ One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house, and took his place at table. ³⁷ And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, ³⁸ 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. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, 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.” ⁴⁰ And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “What is it, Teacher?” ⁴¹ “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² When they could not pay, he forgave them both. Now which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave more.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” ⁴⁴ Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Reflection:

1. Jesus Christ knows who is a sinner and what is the sin committed by that person. For being the Son of God he knows what’s in the heart of each created being.
2. Jesus allowed the woman who was washing his feet with her hair and alabaster flask of ointment, to kiss his feet while she cried out in tears for her sins. But Simon felt in his heart that Jesus didn’t realize the true nature of this woman despite other’s believing Jesus to be a Prophet of God.
3. So then, Jesus who understood what was in the heart of the Pharisee named Simon, who was distrustful of Jesus, decided to bring to light to this issue so that it was clear that Jesus was not ignorant and neither did Jesus do anything wrong in allowing this woman to anoint his feet before his time had come for his death by crucifixion and then this glorious resurrection for the salvation of all humankind to the glory of God.
4. Christ Jesus spoke of the parable of the two debtors whom the creditor had forgiven both of their debts. Simon the Pharisee was right in saying that one debtor who had been forgiven more will love the creditor even more. Even Jesus agreed with Simon on this.
5. Jesus then admonished Simon for not having done his part of giving Jesus water to wash his feet but instead the woman washed the feet of Jesus with her tears. Also Jesus reminded Simon that as per the custom of that time, that Simon didn’t anoint the head of Jesus with oil but the repentant woman anointed the feet of Jesus with ointment. Simon was so much focused on doubting Jesus that he neglected to do what is right.
6. Sometimes like Simon, people doubt Jesus so much that they neglect doing what is good to others. Blessed are those who instead trust the Lord and do not neglect to take care of others in a good way.
7. Jesus Christ has the power to forgives sin and is seated at the right hand of God and so he has the authority to forgive sins. Blessed are those who’s sins are forgiven.
8. Finally know that that Jesus didn’t forgive the woman for her good deeds towards him but rather Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” So take heart taht good deeds do have their place in eyes of God but remember that its your faith is what Jesus Christ looks at, for he knows the intentions of each man, woman and child, especially the intentions of the heart. Therefore be of good intent when coming to the Lord and repent wholeheartedly, so that the Lord God has mercy on you!