THE SINFUL WOMAN (PART ONE)

“And standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.” (Luke 7:38, NASB).

We are not told who this sinful woman was, nor are we given her name. She is simply identified as a “sinful” woman (v.37). In other words, she was named according to her bad reputation as opposed to her actual name, which I am certain she had. Now what actual sins she was guilty of? Is anyone’s guess, for her sins are not specifically mentioned in the passage. Usually when a woman is identified as sinful in Scripture, the woman is usually associated with such sins as adultery or prostitution. Now that’s not to say she was not guilty of such other sins. In today’s Scripture text, six points can be drawn from this woman’s action in the presence of Jesus. First, we see the woman “standing behind Him”—this speaks of her shame. She at first, felt she could not face him with her sin. Nevertheless, she was there. Second, we observe her “weeping”—this reminds us of her brokenness and sorrow over her guilt and sin. Third, the woman stooped and “began to wet His feet with her tears”—does this not show her humble and submissive attitude in the Lord Jesus presence? The Lord does not respond in forgiveness to us in our pride, but He does forgive, when we approach Him in humility (see James 4:6). Fourth, we learn the woman “kept wiping them with the hair of her head”—she laid her glory at Christ’s feet (see 1 Cor. 11:15). Fifth, we witness the woman “kissing His feet”—this reveals her heart, her affection, love, and appreciation of His person. Sixth, lastly we are in awe of the woman’s sacrifice in “anointing them with the perfume”—her worship was costly (see John 12:3). Now I should point out here the slight difference between the woman’s “weeping” as opposed to her “tears.” “Weeping” reminds us of intense emotion expressed through a multitude of tears, which in turn speaks of her brokenness over her multitude of sins; whereas, “tears” speaks of individual sorrow over specific sins. The wonderful truth is, we read Jesus saying, "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little." (Luke 7:47, NASB). Friend, have you a multitude of sins that are weighing you down? If so, lay them at Jesus’ feet in repentance, and like the sinful woman in today’s passage, the Lord Jesus will forgive you of all your sins. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30, NASB).

Lord Jesus, thank you for this sinful woman’s example that no matter how bad we have sinned, there is hope and forgiveness to be found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.