The Woman With the Alabaster Jar.

By Mary Vee
Luke 7

From Luke's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

My name is Luke, I am a disciple of Jesus. The other disciples are here with me as well. We went to an interesting dinner. Here's what happened:

A Pharisee invited Jesus to have dinner at his house. In our time, when an invitation went to such a teacher like Jesus, the host knew his disciples would come as well.

We arrived at the Pharisee's home and were shown to the table. In our time, people did not sit on chairs to a table. We reclined. It's true!

Jesus reclined at the table along with other guests. 

One more difference in a special dinner like this, sometimes men or women came into the home after hearing a certain guest was there. They expected to be let into the home and were.

I mention this because a woman happened to come into this Pharisee's home. She had an alabaster jar of perfume in her hands and whispered to the man at the door that she'd heard Jesus dined here tonight.

She walked into the dining area and stood behind Jesus's feet, (remember he is reclining at the table). Tears fell down her face first slowly then with great sorrow.

One of the other guest lived in this town. He told us this woman was a great sinner. One who usually was not welcome in most places. 

She wept more and more, sobbing and wiping her tears that fell on Jesus's feet. She kissed His feet, showing Him honor then poured the expensive perfume from her jar onto his feet. All the while she wept and wiped his feet with her hair.

The Pharisee who was the host looked at the woman and scowled. He sipped his drink then said softly so only one or two near him heard. "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is. She is nothing more than a sinner."

Jesus looked at the Pharisee and said, "Simon, I have something to tell you."

The Pharisee smiled with such pride. "Tell me, teacher."

"All right. Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay the money lender back. Out of compassion, he canceled the debts of both. Which of the two borrowers will love the moneylender more?"

Simon the Pharisee answered, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven."

"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

Jesus turned to the woman kneeling at his feet and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman?" He paused. "I came into your house. You didn't give me any water for my feet as is customary for guests, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 

"You didn't give me a kiss of welcome as is the custom, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 

"You didn't put oil on my head as is the custom for guests, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 

"Her many sins have been forgiven because she loves much, but he who has been forgiven little, loves little." 

Jesus then said to the woman, "You sins are forgiven."

The guests around me and across the table looked at each other and said, "Who is this who forgives sins?"

Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."

Those in the Pharisee's home were surprised at Jesus' words and His kindness to the woman.

Jesus said we will continue visiting villages tomorrow. 

 Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.