JULY 13TH
THE WOMAN WITH THE ALABASTER BOX
Scripture Reading: Luke 7: 36-50
36 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.
This wonderful account of the woman with the alabaster box has been told many times, yet there are still many wonderful, hidden truths remaining to be seen in it. In this instance, the focus is on a woman who was a sinner and ignored by the religious system, yet she used that same system as an opportunity to approach Jesus Christ of Nazareth and was completely delivered. Through faith, she penetrated the walls of tradition to meet the Master face to Face. Faith is God’s spiritual laser. Multiplied millions have identified with her situation, but few go on to emulate her loving and powerful actions. Rejection, criticism, and inability on the part of the religious system to help her did not impede her from getting to Jesus. She erased every excuse that sinners before and after her have used as a barrier between them and their God. One must seek Christ alone and not man and Christ. Jesus said, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37)." The religious system and no other system of the traditions of men can prevent the love of God when a heart desires to know Him.
The woman’s position speaks the entire volume of her heart. She is found at Jesus’ Feet. The sincere heart knows from the beginning that all things in Him are new, and one must be taught. Again, Christ is learned! She postured herself in humble service at the Master’s Feet or the position of instruction for a true follower or disciple. Every action she took was from the same position. The believer’s need is for instruction from Christ instead of tradition and its passing order. As this lesson unfolds, it becomes clear that this woman’s acts of humility and love exposed the complete deficit of the religious system.
Continued