Topical Bible: Faith: Faith in Christ: The Woman Who Anointed Jesus' Feet

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The account of the woman who anointed Jesus' feet is a profound illustration of faith and devotion, found in the Gospel of Luke. This narrative highlights the transformative power of faith in Christ and the deep, personal relationship between the believer and the Savior.

Biblical Account

The account is recorded in Luke 7:36-50. Jesus is invited to dine at the house of Simon the Pharisee. During the meal, a woman known in the city as a sinner enters the house with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stands behind Jesus at His feet, she begins to weep. Her tears wet His feet, and she wipes them with her hair, kisses them, and anoints them with the perfume.

Expression of Faith

The woman's actions are a profound expression of her faith in Christ. Despite her reputation and the potential for public scorn, she approaches Jesus with humility and reverence. Her tears signify repentance, and her anointing of Jesus' feet with costly perfume demonstrates her recognition of His divine authority and worthiness. This act of worship is a testament to her belief in Jesus as the Messiah and her desire for forgiveness and redemption.

Jesus' Response

Jesus acknowledges the woman's faith and contrasts her actions with those of Simon the Pharisee. In Luke 7:44-46 , Jesus says to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house. You did not give Me water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not greet Me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing My feet since I arrived. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume."

Jesus' response underscores the depth of the woman's faith and the sincerity of her repentance. He declares in Luke 7:47-48 , "Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

Significance of Faith

The woman's faith is significant for several reasons. First, it demonstrates that faith in Christ transcends social and cultural barriers. Despite her status as a sinner, her faith and love for Jesus bring her forgiveness and peace. Second, her account illustrates the personal nature of faith. Her intimate act of worship is a personal encounter with Jesus, highlighting the individual relationship each believer can have with the Savior.

Lessons for Believers

This account teaches believers about the nature of true faith. It is not merely intellectual assent but involves a heartfelt response to Jesus' love and grace. The woman's faith is active, demonstrated through her actions, and it leads to forgiveness and transformation. Her account encourages believers to approach Jesus with humility, repentance, and love, trusting in His power to forgive and restore.

Conclusion

The woman who anointed Jesus' feet exemplifies the essence of faith in Christ. Her account is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of faith and the boundless grace available to all who come to Jesus in repentance and love.

Nave's Topical Index

Luke 7:36-50
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Christ Forgives the Magdalen at the House of Simon the Pharisee. ...
... in speaking to him, the woman's love, and not her faith, was made prominent by Christ.
The very vices of the woman made her conviction more profound, her ...
/.../section 140 christ forgives the.htm

Jesus' Feet Anointed in the House of a Pharisee.
... Ignorance of Christ's person and office caused them to thus question him. ... in asking
this question.] 50 And he said unto the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlvi jesus feet anointed in.htm

Concerning the Centurion's Faith the Raising of the Widow's Son. ...
... he would not have been offended at Christ, an infirmity ... The behaviour of "the woman
which was a sinner ... of her repentance proceeded from her faith, she heard her ...
/.../chapter xviii concerning the centurions faith.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke vii. 37, "And Behold, a Woman who ...
... I long for thy faith. ... at the table with Him, who alike saw the Lord Jesus Christ,
and were ... My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xlix on the words.htm

Saving Faith
... The woman, it is said, loved much, and she proved her ... do I find that she literally
followed Christ in the way ... and that you will look for the same faith, but not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/saving faith.htm

The Knowledge of Jesus Christ the Best Knowledge
... of the Virgin Mary, that he might be the seed of the woman only; who ... them unwilling
to submit to the righteousness which is of God by faith in Christ Jesus? ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the knowledge of jesus christ.htm

The Woman which was a Sinner
... him then apply the reasoning by marking this woman, and contrasting ... Undoubtedly,
her faith had saved her ... of pity to the most sunken and needy; in Christ, as the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxi the woman which.htm

The Life of Jesus Christ in Its Historical Connexion
... Section 184. The Syro-Phoenician Woman. ... Section 259. Christ teaches that Faith must
prove itself by Works. ... Section 266. Christ washes the Disciples' Feet. ...
/.../neander/the life of jesus christ in its historical connexion/

C. The Third Period. Chs. 6:12 to 8:56
... John or to put their trust in Christ in response ... And he said unto the woman, Thy
faith hath saved ... sympathy which Jesus felt for the sinful woman who anointed ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/c the third period chs.htm

John Chapter xi. Jan-54
... concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus ... it is by a more wonderful
work of Christ that every one ... Luke here speaks only of a woman that was a ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xlix john chapter xi.htm