Luke 7:36-50 Jesus and the Sinful Woman; Jesus and the Smug Pharisee

In this passage, we see Jesus dealing with two types of people—a woman who knew she needed forgiveness, and a man who had remained relatively “squeaky clean” all his life. Jesus is seen “eating with the enemy,” a Pharisee named Simon who invited him to a meal, perhaps for not so pure reasons. The Pharisees had been after him for a long time, and it may be that this invitation was to not just honor him but catch him in something they could pin on him.

And if that was the case, they certainly did. A sinful woman came in, and began to not only anoint Jesus with perfume, but ardently kiss his feet. That had to look bad. But Jesus flips the situation back on them and teaches them and us a wonderful lesson. The more you know you’re in need of forgiveness, the more your forgiveness means to you. And we can feel safe with that. Because Jesus has washed us all freely in his blood, and no sin can keep us away from his love. We are not only forgiven. We can be cleansed from having to live in sin. And that is a wonderful blessing to have.