Trembling, she walked in the room. She could feel the eyes burning into her and the whispers swirled around her. With her head down, she pressed forward, drawing the precious jar in toward her body. She cradled it gently, yet firmly. It was everything. She could never even speak of the things she had done to buy this perfume. If she had only known then what she knew now. The brief walk across the room felt like an hour, but she just couldn’t help herself! This was the least she could do. It would never be enough. By the time she got there, she was weeping…hard. Eyes still on the ground, she saw they hadn’t even done the decency of bringing water for his feet! Didn’t they know! It didn’t matter. She knew. She kissed them hard and held them to her face. The first few tears turned to mud. She could taste it as she kissed. But it wasn’t long before the dirt was overwhealmed and washed to the floor. She couldn’t help herself. It was the least she could do. It would never be enough. She didn’t plan for this. She couldn’t leave his feet wet like this! They would only be more dirty than before. She pulled the pin out of her hair. This will have to do. How could feet be this beautiful and taste this sweet. She couldn’t even bear to look up to his face. His feet were so warm on her face. Her mind jumped back to her gift. It was the reason she came. To give him all she had. She carefully poured the perfume from her alabaster jar onto his precious feet. She spread it with care, taking in the scent, hoping it pleased him. It could never be enough. If only she had something more. Something worthy.
She suddenly realized he was talking. Something about a lender who canceled debts for 2 men. One large debt and one small. As her ears tuned in to hear more, she heard him say “Do you see this woman?” He was talking about her! what would he say! What did he think of her! “I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” He put his hand on her chin and turned her face towards him. As their eyes met, he said “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Those words stuck reached the deepest part of her torn soul and bound her wounds. A peace like she had never known before gripped her, stilled her. He loves her too. She walked home in silence, the fragrance of the perfume kept my mind reeling over his words. The feel of his feet in her hands, the sound of his voice, the color of his eyes. THIS was love!! She loved him. He loved her. She belonged to him. She was no longer for sale.
You can read this full story in Luke 7:36-50. Please forgive the creative liberty I took in telling the story from her point of view
Here is a link to the full story
