Jesus was invited to the home of Simon, a Pharisee, in Luke 7:36-50. The Pharisees were self-righteous and fixated on the law with no understanding or regard for the grace Jesus came to give. Their interactions with Him were often attempts to mock or trap Him with religious doctrine.
The men were at the table, when a disgraced woman entered the house and sat below Jesus. She wept in His presence and washed His feet with her hair and tears. Simon watched with disgust as the woman poured out onto Jesus’ feet her sacrifice of devotion with kisses and expensive perfume. How could Jesus, this so-called prophet, allow the wretched to approach and touch Him?
This woman boldly demonstrated and sincerely confessed what her heart knew, that Jesus was her Savior and without Him she was hopeless and lost. Jesus knew Simon did not understand her humility and devotion. Simon hadn’t washed His dusty feet nor did he treat Jesus with honor. Why would a Pharisee, believing he was spotless, honor the One who came to wash him clean?
Jesus spoke to Simon with a parable about two debtors, one who owed much and one who owed little. Then He asked him which man, being forgiven of his debt, would love the one who forgave it more? The one with much debt or the one with little? “The one who is forgiven much,” said Simon, while the grateful, kneeling woman, forgiven of much, anointed the Savior’s feet before him.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Meeting God at the Park 