As was customary for a meal, Jesus was reclining. This is how they ate - they didn't sit in chairs as we do today - they sat on the floor and leaned against the table - propped up with their left arm - feeding themselves with their right hand. Their feet would be extended out behind them. If you can visualize this - while they wore sandals, the roads and pathways were very dusty (I can attest to this from my visit to the Holy Land!!! My cool purple and yellow sneakers were dust covered most days) and therefore, their feet would have been very dusty and dirty.
So . . . all the feet of all the men were extended out behind them. Imagine being behind these dinner guests - there would be a lot of feet to choose from - no? The Sinful Woman sought out HIS FEET! We learned that uninvited and unwealthy people were not allowed to share in the meal, but were allowed to pick up scraps of food and observe from the background. This woman had learned that He was in town - that He was dining at Simon the Pharisee's house. She came and knelt down behind Him - perhaps to catch a closer glimpse or with the intention to anoint His feet with her expensive perfume contained within her alabaster jar. But . . . then . . . she began to cry - to weep. She wept so much that she actually wet his feet with her tears. Have you ever suffered that type of emotional pain? Have you ever been amazed at how many (hot) tears could actually flow from your eyes? I have. While her emotions were true - do we think she was embarrassed for others to see her uncontrollable sobs? Did she look for something - perhaps a towel - to wipe her tears off His feet? She had no towel, so she used the next best thing . . . she uncoiled and let down her own hair . . . kissing his feet and pouring her perfume on them. In the DVD Liz says that maybe the alabaster jar of perfume contained "her sins in the bottle". Something to ponder.
Sinful thoughts flow through the mind of the Pharisee, questioning who Jesus really is. Jesus doesn't need to hear his words - He knows his thoughts and tells him a story, which remarkably addresses the Pharisee's very thoughts. Jesus asks him to choose the correct answer - which he does and highlights his own sin. It is only AFTER this exchange that Jesus turns around - toward the woman (not when she first touched His feet, not when her tears covered them, not when she dried His feet with her hair and not when she poured perfume on His feet). He asks the Pharisee if he SEES this woman - He is asking him if he REALLY SEES her. Liz pointed out on the DVD that "she never says a word . . . she doesn't ask for forgiveness or say the sinner's prayer." Jesus states that her sins have been forgiven because HER GREAT LOVE has been shown and that he who has been forgiven LITTLE LOVES LITTLE. He tells her "your faith has saved you; go in peace." Liz points out again that Jesus takes no credit - but gives it all to "the Sinful Woman" because her faith is so strong.
Let us be like this Sinful Woman - confessing our sins at the feet of Jesus - showing Him GREAT LOVE and strengthening our faith.
How can we know, as surely as this woman did, that our sins are forgiven?
- Please read Luke 7:35-50
- Please read chapter 10 in your book
- Please read the discussion question # 10 on page 243
- Please read and be prepared to discuss the questions on pages 261 - 262
- Please review and pray for the Prayer Requests daily