Jesus was at Simon the Pharisee's house ready to eat. A pharisee, a leader, high in social and spiritual standing, was having Jesus to dinner. This was not a house where the lowly and sinful were welcome.
Yet there was a woman, a lowly, sinful person who wanted to see Jesus. It grew in her, that desire, that longing, to see Him. She knew the shame and scorn that would meet her in a Pharisee's house. Her longing overcame the fear of rejection. She got her gift and started on her way. Doubts plagued her but doggedly she kept going.
She entered the house with head lowered, eyes downcast. Standing behind Him she started weeping. Kneeling she began washing His feet with her tears. Wiping them with her hair, she kissed them. With the ointment, she rubbed Jesus' feet. All the love she had for Him went into these ministrations, mixed with sorrow and grief for her many sins. He did not repulse her but accepted these acts of love with forgiveness and mercy.
When the Pharisee thought condemning thoughts, Jesus explained and defended her actions, saying, "Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much."
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