Over the past couple of days, I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude. Several devotionals have landed in my inbox, encouraging me to have a grateful heart. I want to share with you a story about a woman who demonstrates her love and gratitude for Jesus in a genuinely stunning act of worship. Each time I read this account, (found in Luke 7:36-50), I am overwhelmed by the scene as it unfolds—all without uttering a single word. If you’re not familiar with the passage, I encourage you to read it now.
Jesus was dining with a prominent Jewish rabbi—a Pharisee. During the meal, a woman walked in uninvited. The text refers to her as “a woman of the city” and later as “a sinner.” With eyes only on Jesus, she came up behind Him, where He was reclining at the table. (The Middle Eastern way of eating was to recline with the upper body resting on the left side, the head raised, a cushion at the back, and the legs extended behind them.)
The woman was weeping profusely. Stooping down, she continued to cry so much that her tears splashed onto Jesus’s feet. After a while, she used her hair to dry His feet and proceeded to kiss them again and again. Then, she broke an alabaster flask and poured a very costly ointment onto His feet.
This heart-felt expression never fails to take my breath away. Foot washing is such a beautiful display of humility, especially in Christ’s day. Most people walked wherever they needed to go wearing sturdy sandals. The paths and even roads mostly made of earth and stone, caused their feet to become dirt-encrusted quickly. The woman’s use of her tears as a cleansing agent and her hair as the means of drying His feet is nothing short of an act of worship. Pouring the expensive ointment on His feet was an additional offering that spoke volumes as she paid homage to Jesus.
The question is—why? Why was she so emotional? Why would she risk entering someone’s home unannounced and unwanted? Above all, what was the all-consuming, I-have-to-do-this-no-matter-what motivation behind such an extravagant act?
I believe there was another “scene” that preceded this one. A time when the woman met Jesus, and she experienced the power of His presence.
I’m reminded of another amazing encounter between a Samaritan woman and Jesus. After just one conversation, the woman went from going to any length to avoid the townspeople, to running into the very same village, begging all who would listen, “Come and see the man who told me everything I ever did; could He possibly be the Messiah?” (John 4:29 NLT)
We don’t know why she’s referred to as a sinner and as an immoral woman, but one definite possibility was that she was a prostitute. There is nothing new under the sun. Many women ended up in this degrading “profession” out of desperation.
If she did have a history of prostitution, can you imagine what she’d endured? No one wakes up one morning and decides, “I think I want a career of selling my body.” She must have struggled with shame, guilt, and hopelessness. Years of being used, regardless of payment, would surely have left her feeling as though there was no way out—as though for her, there was no possibility of redemption.
Of course, Jesus specialized in reaching the disenfranchised. He attracted people who were “the untouchables.” People others in higher social standing avoided at all costs. These were the ones who flocked to Jesus because they understood they were sinners in need of a Savior.
I picture Jesus talking to this woman—see Him looking at her with a level of respect and love she has never known. He would have spoken to her with such gentleness and kindness. Did He offer her living water? Surely, He let her know that she could come to Him with her heavy burdens and that He would give her rest. (Matthew 11: 28-30)
And so compelled by a heart bursting with gratitude and love, she comes to Jesus. She couldn’t wait another minute. After listening to Him, she understood that what had seemed out-of-reach was available to her—that she was qualified after all! Despite her past, despite what she had done and what she had experienced, Jesus offered her forgiveness. Cleansing. Release. A new beginning—and she said, “Yes!”
As she walks into that room, she brings all she has to offer. She gives her tears to the Source of living water, cleansing the feet of the One Who has cleansed her soul. She brings a most prized possession—the alabaster flask. Most likely, this was her “nest egg,” pouring it out on the Man who had changed everything.
The others in the room were most likely taken aback by her presence and by her actions. All they would have seen was “less-than,” though some may have benefited from her services. But Jesus saw her heart. He recognized and received her gift for what it was—an act of worship, gratitude, and love.
What can we take away from this story? I’ve been reminded in a powerful way that our gratitude shouldn’t be tied to our circumstances—especially if they are difficult. Gratitude is abundantly possible when we fix our eyes on the One Who loves us with an everlasting love. When we focus on Jesus, Who gave His life for us. Not only so that we could spend eternity with Him, but because when we give our hearts to Jesus, eternity begins right here—right now. And a life with Christ is like none other.
Perhaps, like me, you’ve been distracted lately. Maybe you’re just busy, or quite possibly, you’re enduring a difficult season. I encourage you to carve out (a pun that just occurred to me) some time to reflect on all that Jesus has already done for you. Don’t focus on answers you’re still waiting for, but think about all that you’ve already received. Most of the things that currently overwhelm us are temporary. There is nothing temporary about what we have in Christ. Love, joy, peace. Forgiveness and freedom. His very presence that never leaves us or forsakes us. These gifts are gifts that never stop giving; therefore, our gratitude should never cease.
Thank You, Father God, for Your amazing grace toward us. May Your name be praised not only today but moment by moment, as we recognize all that You have done for us. We love You, Lord. Amen
Jenny A. Farrell
Author and Speaker
