mous Son, the rabbi from Galilee. As was the custom
when a notable person was invited to a meal, Simon
held an open house. The problem was that it was
open to anyone. Simon could not have expected
huge social blunder or a callous disregard for how a
woman ought to appear in public. But there she was
Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fra-
grant oil and stood at His feet behind Him weeping;
and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and
wiped them with the hair of her head and she kissed
His feet and anointed them with fragrant oil" (Luke
7:37,38 NKJV).
house but to go straight up to Jesus, to actually touch
Him! Imagine the scene. Kneeling behind Jesus
where He reclined for the meal, those present
watched in stunned silence as her body heaved its
sobs, her tears causing makeup to streak her face,
then flowing like a small river on the feet of Jesus.
She could see that His unwashed feet were muddied
by her tears. Her hair hung down to His feet and
without hesitation she used it to wipe them. The
tears were not enough. So the gift she brought to
present to Him that day was opened, its fragrance
overpowering every other odor, covering His feet not
only with tears but this precious oil. Now His feet
were clean and she, amazed that she hadn't been
pushed away and unheeding of the condemning eyes
fixed upon her, could not stop until she covered His
feet with her kisses. She knelt unashamed in humble
and utter submission.
woman was? Surely a prophet would be able to tell.
amount, one for a greater. Both men were unable to
pay but were forgiven completely. Could Simon not
understand the point of the parable that grace is as
humanly unattainable for a "righteous" man like him
as it was for this sinner? But no. He missed the point
your house and you