Abiding AT HIS FEET: The Sinful Woman

Adapted from Unpopular: Following Jesus, Not the Crowd

We all have a need to abide, to plug into the source of all love, joy, and peace. Our loving Savior is that source, and we are all desperate for Him, but something tends to hold us back. The thing that keeps us from abiding with Jesus in His healing, restorative presence is sin. Whether it’s our own sin, someone else’s sin against us, or the impact of this fallen world, we often carry burdens through life.

This baggage – guilt, shame, bitterness, hurt, regret, brokenness, worthlessness, you name it – keeps us from fully engaging with the One who wants to free us from all of it.

We must lay what we’re carrying down at His feet and leave them there. Then there will be nothing to keep us from getting close to Jesus as we abide in Him. There is a woman in Scripture who shows us how she laid her burdens down so that she could abide, fully engaged, at the feet of Jesus. Let’s do Bible study!

Read Luke 7:37-38. Why do you think the woman was doing what she was doing?

This woman, so aware of her sin and so in adoration of her Lord, didn’t care who was watching or what they had to say. Her only concern was to make her love-filled, repentant heart known to Him. 

How often do we approach Jesus in this way? Even if we are not living overtly sinful lives, we are all sinners. Do we live in continuous acknowledgement of our need for Him? Would we do what this woman had done, with at least one religious leader and possibly many others looking on?

What, if anything, is holding you back from openly expressing your faith in Jesus?

Read Luke 7:39. How did Simon the Pharisee think that Jesus should respond to the woman?

Simon’s thoughts were known to Jesus and He responded with a parable.

Read Luke 7:40-43. What is the general theme of this parable?

Read Luke 7:44-46. What does it say about Simon that he did not treat Jesus in the way that a guest should be treated, especially an honored guest?

What does it say about the sinful woman that she did everything that Simon neglected to do, and in a much more personal way?

Read Luke 7:47-50. According to verse 50, what saved the woman – her actions, or her faith? What does this teach you?

Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his home, but he didn’t love Jesus and treat Him as a guest of honor at his table. He didn’t even wash Jesus’ feet, which was a basic courtesy provided by any host. But this woman, known by all to be a sinner, gave of herself to love Jesus well. But it wasn’t what she did, it was the heart with which she did it that made the difference. 

The Sinful Woman teaches us how to approach our holy God even in our unholiness. She was known to everyone for her sins, but she was known to Jesus for her love and faith. This is why she was forgiven. There’s one more thing about the Sinful Woman that I’d love to share with you.

Come with me to the Book of John.

Read John 11:1-2. Who was the sinful woman? 

Who was her brother?

Read John 11:5 and John 11:32-35. How did Jesus feel about the Sinful Woman and her siblings?

Now read Luke 10:38-42. Knowing what you know now, why do you think Mary sat at Jesus’ feet?

To every Martha out there, Jesus loves you too! All you who have been good girls and faithful women are a shining example to those of us who took the long, bumpy road to Jesus. Your testimony proves that we can be devoted to Jesus from a young age and stay that way. Thank you for serving Him (and us) so well.

After a lifetime of mistakes, stumbles, and regrets, Mary could sit at the Lord’s feet all day, every day. In Biblical times, students of a rabbi would sit at that rabbi’s feet to learn and gain wisdom from him. Mary adopted that posture of a student at her Teacher’s feet after she wept and cleansed her Savior’s feet. She poured her sin and shame out at the feet of her blessed Redeemer and wiped them away because they had been reduced to nothing when exposed to His beautiful grace and love.

Precious sister, lay down your burdens at Jesus’ feet, allow Him to remove that baggage from you, and then remain there, abide, at His feet, in His merciful presence.

Jesus, with all His loving grace, would take anyone who seeks Him sincerely – anyone – and He will save us. He will redeem us. He will forgive us of our sins – yes, even that.

Say a prayer of thanks to Him right now.

Lord Jesus, I humbly come before You and lay my sins at Your feet. Thank You for Your love and forgiveness. Thank You for restoring me through the cross. Please help me to remember to abide in You. Lord, I trust my situation to You and I praise You that You are sovereign over it all. In Your Holy Name, Amen.

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Tischa Van de Reep is a Trinidad-born writer and speaker married to Harald, a Dutchman. They live in The Woodlands, TX with their two sons, Julian and Aidan. Tischa brings authenticity and vulnerability to all her teachings on Scripture. She is the author of “Unpopular: Following Jesus, Not the Crowd” as well as several other Bible teachings and Bible studies. Apart from teaching Scripture from her living room and various churches, Tischa’s work in ministry extends from homeless women in Houston, to expat wives in Budapest, Hungary, to rural villagers in Malawi, Africa, and women across the US. For more info, go to tischavandereep.com