There are many stories in the New Testament that tells about Jesus telling people that God forgives them, and to sin no more.
One very special woman had received God's forgiveness and was so blessed from the joy and freedom in her life after being forgiven that she had to find Jesus to show her love back to Him.
When she finally found Jesus He was at a friend's house reclining after eating. There were many people there who witnessed this woman go up to Jesus and sit at His feet and opened up her alabaster box to annoint Jesus' feet with the perfume and dryed them with her hair. The host complained and told Jesus that He should have realized that this woman was a sinner, and not allowed her to do such a thing.
Jesus replied with a parable. READ the scripture:
An Alabaster Box
And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment (Luke 7:37-38). Notice what a contrite and broken spirit the woman displayed. Why did she wash Jesus' feet? Because that arrogant, self-righteous Pharisee didn't have them washed, as was the custom. All the other guests at the table had their feet washed and their heads anointed. Simon the Pharisee had bestowed on them every courtesy, but he ignored Jesus because he thought Jesus wasn't worthy of common courtesy. Jesus wasn't a Pharisee.
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it [saw what the woman was doing], he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner (Luke 7:39). The Pharisee didn't realize that the Lord knew his thoughts. He was thinking, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known . . . she is a sinner. But the Pharisee was in a worse condition than that of a mere sinner; he was a despised hypocrite. The Lord loves a sinner, the Bible teaches, but He despises a hypocrite.
Jesus Had Somewhat To Say
And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on (Luke 7:40). I like that. Jesus spoke up, put things in perspective. Now the Pharisee calls Jesus Master: There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman (Luke 7:41-44)? Jesus wanted Simon to see that this woman had humbled herself the way he should have done had he not been so haughty and full of ego. Not feeling the need of God, the Pharisee thought he was better than anyone else. Jesus knew him for the hypocrite he was. With her humble spirit, the woman who had been so sinful was much greater in the eyes of Jesus than was the Pharisee.
Jesus pointed out the way He had been treated: I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet [That omission was an insult]: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss (Luke 7:44,45). It was the custom to greet guests with a kiss. The men would kiss other men, usually on both cheeks; they still embrace that way in the Holy Land today.
But this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet (Luke 7:45). Such great love she displayed as she humbled herself, weeping, falling to her knees! She didn't feel she was worthy to even stand in His presence.
My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment (verse 46). You anointed all the guests except me, Jesus was saying. You didn't anoint my head, but this woman anointed my feet with ointment, bestowed an honor upon me.
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much (verse 47). She had committed many sins; she knew she was a sinner. It's the hypocrite who never admits his sins no matter what he does. God can't deal with a sinner who refuses to confess his sins.
But to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little (verse
Jesus forgave her sin. This really wicked woman. This one who had done so many things who was obviously known as a street woman and who was scorned by the religious crowd, by the better folks of the town, here. The host, Simon even looked down his nose at her. Yet Jesus forgave her sin. A person who has a heart full of praise for the forgiveness of God is totally forgiven by God.
To read the words of a song about this verse called The Alabaster Box. CLICK HERE
GO HERE to continue Lesson on a story about Mary Magdalene who was tormented by seven demons.
Lesson 1 ~ Peter
Jesus is our Best Friend
Lesson 2 ~ Lazarus
Jesus Cares about us.
Lesson 3 ~ Jairus' Daughter
Jesus is Trustworthy.
Lesson 4 ~ Mary of Bethany
Jesus is More than Enough.
Lesson 5 ~ Mary Magdalene and a woman who sinned
Jesus Accepts us just the way we are.
