Women of WorthSample

Today we will look at two women, Mary of Bethany and a woman referred to as a “Sinful Woman.” We see another example of the Lord’s special treatment of women in our sister Mary of Bethany. This woman was not only a friend of Jesus but His faithful disciple. Her hunger and thirst for righteousness are what brought her to the feet of her Savior. It was completely unprecedented for a woman to receive equal intellectual and social standing as a male disciple. She was allowed to sit at His feet and allowed to soak in every morsel of His teaching. Her adoration and worship of the Bread of Life satisfied her hungry soul. Her desire to worship and learn does not go unnoticed by Christ; she even receives adulation for her attentiveness, commenting she has chosen the better position, and it would not be taken from her.

In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 7, we see a picture of God’s grace for a repentant woman at the feet of Jesus. In a posture of humility, her tears of sorrow and contrition cascade down His bare feet. She uses her long hair to wipe them clean, anointing His feet with perfume. She is willing to face shame and ridicule to chase after Him. He sees the brokenness of her heart and her desperate need for forgiveness and peace. He lovingly tells the woman she is forgiven, but He also uses her actions and the worship she freely lavishes on Him to rebuke His outraged host, Simon the Pharisee. Among the many questions Jesus asks Simon, one straightforward question was piercing. If we’re not careful, we can read right past it: “Do you see this woman?”

This simple question urges Simon to look beyond the societal division by which the culture had always lived and see her as a genuine, repentant woman. A woman of immense love. Jesus teaches the one who keeps all the rules is not necessarily the superior person. “For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (I Sam 16:7). She was a believer with a genuine heart of repentance. Simon was a “white-washed tomb.” Beautiful on the outside and dead on the inside. Disdain, judgment, and self-righteousness filled Simon’s heart. We see such a stark contrast from her heart of worship. “Her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love.”

Reflection: What do these Scriptures reveal about the character of Christ?

Recognize: If Jesus is willing to treat us with value, respect, and dignity, how should we treat ourselves and others?

Respond: Are you willing to face ridicule to chase after Him? Today choose to boldly step out of your comfort zone and bravely break down barriers to chase after Jesus.