Perhaps this woman was one who had heard the report of Him (Lk. 7:17) and had come face to face with her sins. She weeps, but “grief according to God works repentance to salvation” (2 Cor. 7:10). She finds in our Lord the only One who can wipe away those tears, for in Him, “the grace of God which carries with it salvation for all men has appeared” (Tit. 2:11).

She follows Him into Simon the Pharisee’s house with her box of myrrh and stands behind Him as He lies at the table, not presuming on His grace but confident He will not reject her. Her tears fall on His feet and she washes them. How refreshing for Him to enjoy this service, if not by His host (Lk. 7:44; 15:7). She dries them with her hair, her God-given glory (1 Cor. 11:15), in loving submission to Him, and kisses them ardently for they are “the feet of Him that announceth glad tidings” (Isa. 52:7). Then she anoints them with the myrrh, openly owning the glory of the One who will die for her. This is “first love” (Rev. 2:4).

Unlike the educated Pharisee, she is one of wisdom’s children (Lk. 7:35). She knows that she is a sinner but that grace is available for her in Jesus. Therefore she loves much, and He pronounces her many sins “forgiven,” dismissed (vv. 47–48). Others grumble and question this, but He assures her, “Thy faith has saved thee; go in peace” (v. 50). God will complete the work begun in her “unto Jesus Christ’s day” (Phil. 1:6). But what about you? Have you come to Him for the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:14)? Or are you like Simon the Pharisee, too proud to be saved?