Week 4 | Day 1 JESUS ANOINTED BY A SINNER Luke 7:36-50

Jesus accepts an invitation to dine in the home of Simon the Pharisee. In the middle of the meal, a woman with a notorious reputation enters—uninvited—and does what no one else has done: she wept at Jesus’ feet, wiped them with her hair, kissed them repeatedly, and poured expensive perfume over them. Simon watched all of this transpire with quiet contempt and concluded that if Jesus were truly a prophet, He would’ve rejected her.

Knowing this, Jesus answered Simon’s unspoken judgment with the parable of two debtors—one owing little, the other owing much—both forgiven. Then He asked the piercing question: who will love the lender more? The answer was obvious: the one forgiven more. Jesus exposed Simon’s cold religiosity (and ours) by listing what Simon failed to offer (water for His feet, a greeting kiss, and oil for His head), while this woman overflowed with love because she knew the depth of her need—and the depth of His mercy. Jesus declared her sins forgiven and sent her away with the words every broken heart longs to hear: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

APPLICATION

1. Forgiveness is not Reserved for the “CLEAN” but for the Repentant

Your past doesn’t disqualify you—pride does. Jesus receives anyone who comes honestly, with real repentance and real faith.

2. Self-righteousness can Keep You Close to Jesus Physically but Far from Him Spiritually

Simon hosted Jesus at his table but never surrendered his heart. It’s possible to be “around” holy things and still miss the Holy One. Close to the Christ but far from conversion.

3. Repentance doesn’t just Change what You Believe—It Reshapes How You Live and Love

The woman’s humility and brokenness weren’t performative; they were the fruit of personal desperation and of being forgiven. Where grace is received, love will be expressed.

4. Jesus Meets Us at the Point of Our Real Need, not Our Polished Image

He doesn’t ask us to pretend, pose, or impress. He invites us to come as we are—and leave changed, forgiven, and at peace.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank You that mercy is available to anyone who will come to You with a broken and contrite heart. Forgive me for the ways I’ve been more like Simon—measuring others, minimizing my own need, and offering You leftover honor. Give me the humility of this woman: honest repentance, deep gratitude, and bold love. Remind me today that I am not saved by my reputation, my effort, or my religious performance, but by Your grace received through faith. Help me to love much because I’ve been forgiven much. In Your name, amen.