Divine Dining March 2, 2026 Devotional

LUKE 7:37-39 | ³⁷ And a woman in the city who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. ³⁸ She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair, kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.”

The Pharisee may have wanted to test Jesus because as we learn in Luke 7:16-17, word that He was a great prophet had spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside. But as is the case in many encounters between people and our Lord, the tables turn, and the Pharisee too meets judgment.

The drama of this moment plays out Jesus' non-reaction when a third actor, a woman, enters the scene. Her behavior causes Simon the Pharisee to judge Jesus dismissively, and then Simon's attitude to both his guests is also laid bare. The unnamed woman is local and notorious, identified as a "sinner." She comes to anoint Jesus in an extravagant gesture of gratitude, presumably for the forgiveness and new life He has initiated for her. Overcome with emotion, her tears flowing over His feet, she breaks custom by letting her hair down, and using it to wipe her tears. She then kisses and anoints His feet. Simon is shocked that Jesus allows this public display of intimate gratitude - It must mean He is not a prophet and doesn't know what kind of person she is.

It matters what we want from Jesus. What motivates you in your relationship with Him?

Gracious God,

Help me seek the most valuable things You want to give me through Christ. Fill me with gratitude for His grace, His truth, His forgiveness and His love.

Amen.