Perhaps the most amazing part of the story told in Luke 7:36-50 is the fact that Jesus was invited t dine in the home of a Pharisee. That kind of welcome was seldom extended to Jesus by the religious leaders. But this one invited him in and Jesus went. He dined with sinners; he dined with Pharisees. It was all the same to him.
But things got uncomfortable quickly. As they reclining and enjoying their meal a woman came in, one who was known as a sinner. Of course, every person in that town other than Jesus was a sinner, but this woman's sins were known by all. Likely, she was known to be involved in immorality, but that is a supposition.
The Pharisee was scandalized that such a woman would enter her home and wash Jesus' feet, anointing them with fragrant oil. But Jesus used her situation to make a point. He told a story about two men forgiven of debts. One owed 500 denarii and the other 50. Then Jesus asked a question of the Pharisee, named Simon.
So, which of them will love him more?
This is a simple but profound point. It is not about how good we are, but how good our God is. It is not about trying to maintain a facade of sinlessness, but about casting ourselves on the mercy of God. A good Christian is not one who never sins, but one who consistently repents and relies on God's grace for everything.
The Pharisees could not experience the love of Jesus because they thought they could gain God's favor on their own. This sinful woman found grace because she knew she needed it. You and I must draw near to God and resist sin, but we must also realize that we will often fall, and that the Christian is not the person who never fails, but the one who looks to Jesus to raise him up again.
Father, I thank you for your grace. If it were not for grace, I would be undone. I admit that I have no good by which to commend myself to you. I seek your mercy, your grace and your power.
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