Lord’s Day, Vol. 14 No. 12

Faith and Forgiveness

Luke 7:36-50 (KJV) And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

“Thy faith has saved thee” (v50) were the words of our Lord Jesus to the penitent woman in our text, who was called “a sinner” by the Pharisee (v29). In all accounts, she was one who was deemed unfit to be saved, to enter God’s kingdom. Clearly, she understood she was a sinner through and through and sought the Lord Jesus deliberately and desperately with penitential tears that she might be saved. Her tears were but “a rain of holy heart-sorrow for sin.” (Spurgeon). Every drop of tear for every offence against her good Lord. By the grace of God, she repented of her sins and was saved. Her extraordinary deeds of love showed indeed the fruit of her faith. She loved much because she was forgiven of much (v43). And our Lord pronounced that she was saved by these words, “Thy sins are forgiven” (v48). Who can forgive sins but God! Indeed, Jesus is God! Our Lord’s final words to her “… go in peace”. Indeed, there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1a).

It was a most reverential and humbling posture to wash our Lord’s feet with her tears and kiss His feet, a gesture fit for a king. Our Lord was the crowned King of her heart. She was unashamed and bold to show forth her deep affection for Him. She truly understood who Jesus was and His redemptive work on earth. She was saved by faith and not by works, our Lord affirmed! Her works clearly demonstrated her faith in Christ! 

Romans 5:1 (KJV) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee