Expert: John - 9/1/2005

Question
Hello,

I would like to know more about a specific tale in the bible.  It concerns Jesus who at a certain point in the new testament, meets a prostitute, but treats her as no less person.  I believe the story takes place at a water pit.  The woman wants to wait to take water for Jesus, but Jesus disagrees and lets her first, showing that unlike traditional views, he does not condemn her.
I would like to know more about that woman? In what part of the bible does it happen?  Is the woman's name mentionned?  And is anything more known about her past and future,

Thanks,

Frédéric

Answer
Hello Frederic,
First let me apologize for taking awhile to get to this question.  I have not been on my computer the past few days.
Now on to your question.  In Luke 7:36 to 7:50 is mentioned a sinful woman which could be the woman you are mentioning.  A custom of the day allowed people to congregrate around the outside of an open courtyard while the quests reclined together at a table.  Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his table. This accounts for why the sinful woman presence in the area.  The Pharisee was so blinded by self righteousness that he did not know who Jesus was and doubted Jesus's abilities.  The sinful woman new who Jesus was and she wanted forgiveness for her sins.  She cried while washing Jesus's feet with her tears.  She basicly gave herself to Jesus just as we are commanded to.  She allowed Jesus in her heart and thus her sins were forgiven. These verses teach us a few things:
1.  Salvation is the result of God's gracious work through faith (the woman showing she believed who Jesus is.
2.  Gad graciously forgives the debt of sin that no one can repay.
3.  Peace with God is possible because of the forgiveness of sins
4.  The more one understands forgivenss, the more love that person will have for Christ
5.  Humble service stems from the heart of gratitude for God's grace.  
If you read on to chapter 8 and a some womens names are mentioned.  One such name is Mary Magdalene.  Some believe that the sinful woman is this Mary and she is the one who found the cave in which Jesus was placed in after the crucifixion open and Jesus then appeared to her.  
But this is not known for sure.  
No other information is given on if she was the sinful woman and I have not found anything else on her.  One of the commentaries I use quite often in my research states "The second part of 8:1-3, which speaks of women who like the sinful woman at Jesus' feet, were of questionable or unknown backgrouns but who served Jesus humbly out of gratitue for His work in their lives."  This tells us that the sinful worman was not the Mary mentioned in Chapter 8.  I really do not have any more information than what I have shown you.  I hope that what I have given you has helped.  If not please send me another message and I will do my best to help you some more.
Take care and may God Bless you in your studies of His wonderful word
Pastor John