When a certain woman, whom Luke described only as “a sinner,” heard that Jesus was eating at the house of a Pharisee, she went there to see Him. She poured out her alabaster jar of expensive perfume on His feet, wiping them with her tears and her hair.

Simon the Pharisee was disturbed by this intimate show of affection, for this woman was a sinner. If Jesus only knew what she had done in her past, He would surely send her away! (Luke 7:36-39).

But Jesus had the opposite response. He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she, with her tears, has washed My feet and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since I came in” (vv. 44-45).

Jesus praised this woman, this sinner with a disgraceful past, and exalted her above Simon the Pharisee. Why? Because she knew she was a sinner and withheld nothing from the One who saved her.

If you’re struggling with guilt and shame because of the sins of your past, release it all into the hands of the One who took your sins upon Himself the day He gave His life on the cross. Because of Jesus, you’re clothed in righteousness and can stand as blameless before the Father.

Today, instead of defining yourself by what you’ve done, define yourself by what has been done for you. You’re a child of God and a co-heir with Christ!

“Her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little” (v. 47).