LUKE 7
A SINFUL WOMAN WASHES THE FEET OF JESUS
When Jesus enters Capernaum, a centurion or Roman military leader comes to Him asking Him to heal his paralyzed servant. Jesus agrees to see the servant, but the centurion says he is not worthy of having Jesus enter his home and knows that He could perform miracles from afar. Amazed by the faith of the Roman soldier, a non-Jewish man, Jesus immediately heals the paralyzed man.
When Jesus is in the town of Nain, a large crowd surrounds Him to hear His teaching. He notices a widow crying over the death of her son and has compassion on her. Jesus approaches the body of her son, who is being carried away, and touches him. Restored to life, the man sits up and begins to speak. The crowds are astonished, recognizing Jesus as a great prophet and God among the people.
The disciples question the role of both John the Baptist and Jesus, wondering who is the promised messenger and who is the Savior. Jesus clears the confusion, letting the disciples know that John the Baptist is the messenger sent to pave the way for Him, prophesied in Malachi 3:1. Jesus and John the Baptist are not the type of men the people expected, thinking God would send a king in luxury clothes or a powerful noble ruler. Jesus expresses that although He and John the Baptist are different, the people find ways to complain and show frustration towards both of them, claiming they are influenced by demons and sinners.
While Jesus is eating with a Pharisee, a sinful woman, possibly a prostitute, approaches Him. Using an alabaster container of valuable ointment, the woman touches the feet of Jesus, washing them with her tears and drying them with her hair. When the Pharisee sees this, he doubts that Jesus knows she is a sinful woman.
Jesus questions the Pharisee, using an analogy of two people in debt. If the lender cancels the debt of both a small debt and a large debt, the person with the larger debt would be more thankful and respond with greater joy. Similarly, whoever acknowledges that they have a great amount of sin to be forgiven will rejoice in the good news of Jesus and respond with love. He forgives the sins of the woman and allows her to go in peace.
