7.16.2025 Prayer Room

LUKE 7:36-50

36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

CONTEXT:

John the Baptist’s disciples had just come to Jesus to ask if He is the one they had been waiting for. In response, Jesus healed many people, fulfilling several promises in the book of Isaiah. He also responds to those who refuse to believe in either His ministry or John’s - Luke highlights that this includes the Pharisees and lawyers, who call Jesus “a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” But what good news it is that Jesus is a friend to us. 

HEAR:

This woman boldly approached Jesus, intending to honor him, even in a place she might not necessarily have been welcome. Her actions were purely of service, humbling herself to wash his feet and anoint Him with perfume. How often do we freely approach Jesus with only the intention to worship Him, and not with the motive to receive something?

Spend some time listening to the Lord:

• This woman approached Jesus with boldness because she knew of His love; remember that we, too, can approach Jesus with boldness and without fear.

• Are you living in the reality of being forgiven? Consider how our perspective changes when we see all for which we have been forgiven.

• Is there someone in your life from whom you have been withholding forgiveness? Ask the Spirit to soften our hearts and help us to forgive, just as we have been forgiven.

RESPOND:

Jesus receives this woman with grace and speaks life and forgiveness over her. 

Respond to the Lord in prayer – 

• Give thanks that we can boldly approach the throne, and for the abundance of God’s mercy.

• Are there things you have been holding back from confessing to God? Bring them before Him in repentance (Romans 2:4) 

• Pray for a new awareness of the depth of our salvation, that it would protect us from pride and stir up deeper compassion toward those around us, and we would be a people who love much

• Pray for the salvation of those in Boston who do not know Jesus, that they would come to know Him and experience the same freedom in His forgiveness