In this part of Luke’s gospel, two individuals are with Jesus- Simon the Pharisee and a woman who is identified as a sinner. Although both are with Jesus, it is only the woman who is truly transformed, who has a right relationship with Jesus. She is a picture of a true Christian.
Transformed people serve Jesus, not money.
When the woman learned that Jesus was dining at Simon’s house, she brought an alabaster flask of ointment. (v. 37) This was a costly item, showing that she valued Jesus over money. In this fallen world, money is a powerful god. But for believers, there must be a distinguishing line between money and Jesus. No one can serve two masters. (Matt 6:24) As transformed people, we must be willing to choose Jesus over anything.
Transformed people are joyous.
Luke describes how the woman stood behind Jesus, weeping. This woman, who was an infamous sinner, wept with joy from being forgiven by God. Are you continually amazed by the grace you have received from God? What is your daily source of joy? For this transformed woman, she couldn’t contain her emotions of gratitude and love as she stood in Jesus’ presence.
Transformed people are humble.
The woman began to wet Jesus’ feet with her tears as she wiped them with the hair of her head. In biblical times, a woman’s hair was her glory. For her to wipe Jesus’ feet- which would have likely been very dirty from walking through dusty and unpaved roads- reveals her humility before God and others. She was humble because she knew God and she knew herself. As believers, we must seek to know God to be a humble people.
Transformed people love Jesus.
After washing and drying Jesus’ feet with her hair, the woman kissed his feet. It was her expression of love for Him. This is the ultimate test of true religion- do you love Christ? If you love Christ, you would love His Word and His church. You would love to commune with Him in prayer. If you love Christ, you would obey. True love is demonstrated through action. We demonstrate our love for Christ with good works.
Simon the Pharisee’s relationship with Jesus was different. His was a formal, lifeless, mechanical relationship. He was lacking understanding of two key components to having a genuine relationship with Jesus- sin and God’s forgiveness. He was unable to see his own sin, and therefore unable to experience God’s forgiveness.
Jesus tried to help Simon understand his situation by telling him a parable that represented Simon and the woman. The parable was about two debtors, one who owed more than the other. Both debts were forgiven by the lender, and it was concluded that the one with the greater debt would have had a greater love towards the lender. We are indebted to God, and a relationship with Jesus can only begin as you understand that you are a sinner whose wages is death and eternal damnation. Sin is powerfully devastating, bringing sorrow, pain, and death. The woman understood this, but Simon practiced self-righteousness and was blind and numb to his sin.
Knowing the seriousness of her sin enabled the woman to see how amazing God’s grace was. God Himself became man to die in our place so that we could be forgiven. The woman was aware of the greatness of her sin; therefore, she understood she was forgiven much. Those who think they have not sinned much have yet to know what sin is. Salvation is ultimately a supernatural act of God. Only the Holy Spirit can show your wretchedness as well as the precious grace in Jesus Christ. Salvation is therefore all of God’s grace.
What is your current condition? We must show our total devotion and love for Christ. If you know you’ve been forgiven much, you will love much.
BIBLE COMMUNITY CHURCH 
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