There are some very bad boys in the Bible. Some bad girls too. One of them had been so convicted and so encouraged by Jesus’ teachings that she chose a very unusual way to thank and worship him. She brought a jar of extremely expensive perfume, poured it on his feet, and dried them with her hair (!) as she wept in gratitude.

Have you ever been terrified that you had outraged God so deeply that you were going to hell for sure? Have you known the deep despair of the damned? This woman had. Whatever pleasures and profit she thought she had gained in her sinful life crumbled away, and she thought she was lost forever. Jesus gave her hope of God’s favor, and her heart started beating again. It changed her life. 

The peanut gallery in the house wanted to criticize her. Jesus shushed them and taught a powerful lesson: “I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever [thinks he] has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47). Those who think they need no Savior, who think they are fine and righteous and moral people on their own, feel no obligation to serve anybody. But the gospel of forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ is a transformative experience. Those who are grateful for grace show it by their changed lives. 

Their worship is intense. Their love is from the heart.