The Woman who Led a Sinful Life: repentance, forgiveness, and a display of love and gratitude

She is not known by name but her story is a lesson in devotion, forgiveness and humility. The woman who led a sinful life had a reputation as a notorious sinner, most likely a prostitute. Rather than deny or defend herself, she admitted her sin and made a spectacle of herself in a passionate display of love and gratitude. Luke 7:36-50 tells her story. Jesus forgave her sins and commended her for her great faith and love. Someone who has been forgiven a great deal loves the most. Why is her story significant? What is so important about feet washing? And lastly, the truths we must know about sin. 

After being forgiven for her sins, she wanted to show her gratitude that she took a jar of alabaster, filled with perfume, and entered a home where she was not invited. Kneeling before Jesus, she poured the entire jar onto his feet and proceeded to wash his feet with her tears and her hair (Luke 7:38). This woman’s action highlights a very important lesson that many people may overlook. No matter how sinful, how broken or how entrenched in error one may be, forgiveness is available when we seek it in faith. Jesus promised. Luke 7:50, “Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’” Her story also warns others about judgment. Jesus’s host, Simon the Pharisee, couldn’t believe that Jesus was letting this woman touch him (Luke 7:39). Unfortunately, Christians tend to develop harsh attitudes toward the sins of others.Like Simon the Pharisee, his societal position blinded him to his own sins. Jesus used the woman’s display as a lesson for Simon, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47).  

Feet Washing is an act reserved for the lowest, most inexperienced servant of the household. As sandals or bare feet were common, travelers coming into a home would remove their sandals at the door. A good host would make sure his guests’ feet were washed and comfortable in his home. It was a duty of hospitality. A show of respect to the guest and a token of humility and affection from the host. In Luke 7:44, Jesus points out that Simon failed as host as he did not provide any water for his feet. It was an unpleasant and humbling task that gained little notice from guests. Did Simon believe that Jesus wasn’t worthy of this customary act? It’s possible. It wouldn’t have been that Simon didn’t know because feet washing has been featured throughout the Scriptures. Genesis 18:1-5, Abraham provided water for his guests to wash their feet. In Exodus 30:19-21, priests were required to wash their hands and feet before entering the temple. Of course, Jesus washes the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper (John 13:1-17). It was an act of love and service. A lesson for the disciples to show brotherly humility toward others. 

There is a truth that people have a hard time grasping. It is a simple truth. Sin is sin. There is no sin scale. All sins deserve the same punishment. There are a few truths of sin. First, sin is a cosmic treason against a holy God. “God is holy and everything owes its being to him” (McGarry, 2019). Second, sin comes from mankind’s desire to act independently from God. We are born in sin (Psalm 51:4). We are unable to see the sinfulness of our hearts, our minds, our decisions, and our daily activities. Sin is powerful and pervasive. It is the easy way out. The pleasurable way. The selfish way. Third, sin and death always belong together. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and eternal separation from God. Even if sin seems to have no consequences in life, there is one we experience after death (McGarry, 2019).  Fourth, everyone is a sinner. Everyone! Romans 3:23 says “or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Lastly, sin is great but God is greater. Romans 3:24 says “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

In conclusion, the woman who led a sinful life knew she had done wrong. She knew she deserved any punishment that would come. And yet, it didn’t. She received forgiveness instead. In an act of love and devotion, she washed the feet of Jesus. A task his host did not perform despite the social custom. We, like the woman, have sinned against God. It may not be as socially egregious as the woman or others around us, but sin is sin. Despite our sinful nature, despite our rightful punishment, we have a gift of forgiveness through Jesus. Belief in Him, faith in Him from the heart is all that is needed. 

Reference

McGarry, Mike (May 15, 2019). Five Truths We Must Teach About Sin. Rooted. www.rootedministry.com/five-truths-we-must-teach-about-sin.