Jesus' Unconditional Love #3

Luke 7:36-50 (ESV)

A Sinful Woman Forgiven

³⁶ One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. ³⁷ And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, ³⁸ and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” ⁴⁰ And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
⁴¹ “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” ⁴⁴ Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

In this passage, Jesus is the dinner guest in the home of Simon, the Pharisee. We don't know know all the details surrounding the woman being allowed into Simon's home just that she found out Jesus was there and went in to worship Him. Obviously, the scene between the woman and Jesus drew the attention of the other's in the room. Let's enter the scene ourselves and note some of the details.
First, how did Jesus show unconditional love to the woman? Jesus did not send her away. He recognized her faith and he forgave her sins.
Second, who pressured Jesus not to act in love? Simon, the Pharisee, of course, and possibly the other guests, too. I can just imagine the disciples, leaving and mumbling to each other, "Awkward!" We are so like them!
Finally, how did the woman feel? I think she felt validated(able to withstand criticism or argument) by Jesus. Isn't that what Jesus did for us where Satan is concerned. Sure we are sinners, but when we put our faith in Jesus, He gives us His righteousness. I think it is worth noting that in validating her, Jesus did not justify her sin. Sin is never right. She also felt forgiveness, love, and salvation. We too are able to experience those things in Christ Jesus.
I hope you have been able to see yourself in this woman's story! I hope today you know what it is not to be condemned, but to stand forgiven and free in Christ Jesus as Lord of your life!