Luke 7:36-50
Jesus accepted Simon the Pharisee’s invitation to dinner. A sinful woman heard of Jesus’ presence and
went with a costly vial of perfume. Its value was a life savings. In tears she wet His feet, wiped them
with her hair, and anointed them with her perfume. This was a prepared and costly expression of love,
adoration, but Simon saw only her sinful condition. Jesus gave a story of forgiveness asking if two
debtors were both forgiven debts, one of which was ten times the other, which would would love more.
Simon responded the one forgiven more. Then Jesus pointed out the distinctions between her
response to His presence and Simon’s. He failed common courtesy, but she expressed humble,
affectionate and costly service. Jesus said to her: “…’Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (50b). We
all have a debt we can’t pay, and therefore, should give service of humility, love and great cost.
Genuine faith is reflected in costly expressions of love.