Imagine and My Favorite Bible Story

I have been a Christian for many years and have studied the stories of Jesus many times. I have read through the Gospels and if someone asked me to pick my favorite story, without hesitation, I would say, "The one where the sinful woman washed Jesus' feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair," which is found in Luke 36-50. Before I explain further, let me show you what it says. "36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, He went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this Man were a prophet, He would know who is touching Him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”" (NIV) I love this story because I can see myself as that woman. The Bible does not give specifics of her "sinful life." Maybe she was promiscuous. Maybe she was a drunkard. Maybe her "sinful life" was nothing more than what I've done in my life. Whatever her sins, it doesn't matter, because in God's eyes, ALL sin is the same and has the same consequence. Humans have made some sins worse than others; God does not see it that way. So regardless of what her sins may have been, she was no worse off than myself before I asked God to forgive my sins. So I put myself in this woman's shoes. Knowing my Savior was sitting in someone else's house, eating a meal, I can't say that I wouldn't have snuck in to find my way to Him. After all, how many times will one come across the Savior on Earth? Upon seeing Him, I most likely WOULD have fallen at his feet, knowing I was not worthy to be in His presence, but determined to gaze upon His visage. Ancient customs of washing feet notwithstanding, I would definitely have cried at His feet, and then, realizing that my tears were wetting His feet, and having nothing to wipe them dry with, yes, I would have used my own hair to try to dry them, however pointless that would seem. I am a sinner, unworthy to be in His presence, much less kiss His feet, and yet I would show my gratitude for saving me in whatever small way I could. When I read that story, in my mind's eye, I AM that woman, and I cry every time I read that story. MercyMe had a wonderful song years ago. The lyrics of the chorus said, "Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for You, Jesus, or in awe of You be still? Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing 'Hallelujah'? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine." I imagine that, most likely, I will be like this woman. I will fall to my knees and cry at His feet. I would love nothing more than to wash His feet with my tears and dry them with my hair. Then, and only then, will I be able to sing His praises in Heaven, because, while I have not committed any serious sins by human standards, I have still been forgiven of much. I am a sinner, and yet I know that God has erased it all through His Son, Christ Jesus! How awesome is that?! God bless y'all and have a wonderful day!