Then, when a woman of that town, who was a sinner, learned that Jesus was dining at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfumed oil. As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfumed oil.
Now, when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” So Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." He replied, "Say it, Teacher.”
“A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts of both. Now, which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly."
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. You gave me no kiss of greeting, but from the time I entered, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfumed oil. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?” He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:37–50
This woman knew who and what she was, and she knew who could save her from her past and give her a future and a hope: Jesus. She didn’t have to try to clean up her life first. She came to Jesus broken and spilled out all she owned to Him.
This perfume she poured onto Jesus’ feet was quite costly; it could have been sold and the money used to feed the poor. This was quite likely her retirement savings, so to speak. But God prompted her to anoint Jesus instead.
We can come to Jesus broken and empty, and He will enter our lives and fill the broken places with His love and peace. Only Jesus can do this. Maybe you already have a relationship with Jesus, but you still have some broken parts in your life… He can still repair those places and restore you with His healing touch. We only need to come to Him.
“I stand with arms high, and heart abandoned, in awe of the one who gave it all. So I stand, my soul Lord to you surrendered, all I have is Yours.” (The Stand, Hillsong Worship).