Do you see this woman? A Story of Grace and Transformation

Luke 7:36-50 | TJ Torgerson

Have you ever found yourself questioning someone's motives? Why do they do what they do? When we encounter a situation or person that seems out of the ordinary, it’s natural to ask questions.

In the story of the woman with the alabaster jar, we see a series of unexpected events unfold. Jesus is invited to dinner by a Pharisee named Simon, and during this meal, a woman known for living a sinful life interrupts to perform a radical act of devotion. As we unpack this story, let's pause at key moments to ask important questions: Why was Jesus invited? Why did the woman come? What moved her to carry the alabaster jar? And why did she weep?

Why Did the Pharisee Invite Jesus to Dinner?

The story begins with Simon the Pharisee inviting Jesus to dinner. Why would a Pharisee, someone who was part of a group that often criticized Jesus, want to spend time with him?

One possibility is that Simon, as a religious leader, felt it was his duty to evaluate this new teacher. Jesus had gained popularity, and Simon might have been curious about his teachings and wanted to ensure that Jesus wasn’t leading people astray. In the culture of the time, it was common for prominent figures like Pharisees to invite up-and-coming teachers to dinner, where others could listen in on their conversations. This might explain why Simon invited Jesus into his home, though his true motives may have included a mixture of curiosity, skepticism, or even a desire to trap Jesus into saying something controversial.

Why Did the Woman Come?

While Simon invited Jesus with perhaps guarded intentions, the arrival of the woman is much more surprising. She wasn’t on the guest list, and her reputation as a sinner would have made her an unwelcome visitor in Simon's house. So why did she come?

Maybe she had heard about Jesus' reputation as a teacher and healer. Perhaps she was drawn by his message of forgiveness and grace, hoping that something he said would bring her peace.

Was it a previous encounter? It’s possible that she had already met Jesus in an unrecorded interaction. Maybe he had shown her kindness, and she felt compelled to respond.

Perhaps her life had reached a point where she knew she needed something beyond what the world could offer—she needed grace. She may have come in desperation, hoping that this Jesus could offer her what no one else would: acceptance and love.

Whatever the reason, the fact that she walked through that door that night shows how incredibly courageous she was. She knew the judgment that awaited her in Simon's house,

but something greater than this drew her to Jesus.

Why Was She Carrying the Alabaster Jar?

The woman didn’t come empty-handed. She brought with her an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, a luxury item that would have cost a year's wages. This wasn’t something people casually carried around. So, why did she bring it?

Maybe the perfume symbolized her past life. It could have been something she once used in her life as a prostitute. Maybe she was on the way to the market to sell it off and leave that life behind.

Or maybe she had brought the jar with a clear intention to honor Jesus with it. She may have decided before even entering the house that she would pour the perfume on him as an act of gratitude and worship. This jar represented more than just a possession; it was her sacrifice, her way of expressing the depth of her need and love for Jesus.Maybe she had the jar with her because she was out on the town, and it was a tool of her trade. Maybe she wasn’t on the way to see Jesus but on the way somewhere else when she heard he was there.

Why Did She Weep?

As the woman stood listening to Jesus, she began to weep, but why did she cry?

Was it because, in the presence of Jesus, she was overwhelmed by the weight of her past sins and the relief of knowing that grace was available to her. Maybe she wept because, in that moment, she realized she was loved and forgiven despite her past.

Perhaps her tears were a response to seeing that no one had shown Jesus the common courtesies of the day. In that culture, it was customary to offer water to wash a guest’s feet and oil to anoint their head. Simon hadn’t done any of this for Jesus. Did she look at Jesus’ tired and dirty feet and was broken hearted because of the lack of kindness?  

Was it something Jesus said?

The story doesn’t tell us why she cried. but yet somehow even though we may not know the exact reason for the tears  we understand the tears. Because the Spirit that has been at work in our lives and our heart recognizes the Spirit at work here in this woman .. and we UNDERSTAND THESE TEARS.

And this woman could not catch her tears fast enough and they fall on Jesus’ feet. So she stoops down quickly and undoes her hair and begins to wipe up her tears cleaning Jesus feet. Then remembering the jar of perfume begins to pour it on Jesus.

And while the woman pours out her love, Simon stands in judgment. He sees only her sin and questions Jesus’ ability to know who she truly is. It is interesting that both Jesus and this woman received the same judgment from Simon. Jesus knew what Simon was thinking so he asked him a question. One guy owed 5000 another owed 500, neither could pay, both were forgive, who would love the most?

Jesus’ point isn’t that Simon needed less forgiveness than the woman, but that Simon failed to see his own need for grace. Neither could pay back, both needed forgiveness. His self-righteousness blinded him to the transformation happening right in front of him. The woman recognized her need, and it unlocked an overwhelming love for Jesus. Simon, on the other hand, remained distant, unable to see how much grace he needed as well.

If Simon understood these things he would not have judged the woman he would have joined her because When we begin to recognize God’s love, grace and generosity towards us — it unlocks love and grace and generosity in our own hearts. May God allow your heart to see all God has done for you. Watch a sermon on this topic https://www.youtube.com/live/FKjZqwbJYt4?si=Y0z_5hKlutG-LuXi&t=1557