The Tears That Heal – At the Feet of Jesus
Introduction
In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.
May the blessing of the Father who calls us and His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ who saves us,
and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and transforms us be with us all,
that we may hear His word and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. Amen.
Every encounter at the feet of Jesus is a turning point.
At His feet, hearts are healed, stories are rewritten, and burdens are lifted.
For Martha, His feet were the place of service.
For Mary, the place of stillness.
For the disciples, the place of cleansing.
But for the sinful woman, His feet became the place where tears became worship and shame became salvation.
She entered the house uninvited, unwelcome, unnoticed by men but seen by God.
She did not bring words—she brought tears.
She did not bring logic—she brought love.
And in that sacred silence, heaven leaned down to meet her broken heart.
1. The Woman Who Found Heaven on the Floor
Simon the Pharisee saw a sinner.
Jesus saw a daughter.
She approached not with explanation but with surrender.
Her tears said what her tongue could not.
Her silence shouted louder than any sermon.
Her humility opened the door pride had closed.
Christ said to Simon:
“Do you see this woman? … Her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.” (Luke 7:44–47, NKJV)
At His feet, she gave the most precious gifts anyone could give:
- Her tears — the water of repentance.
- Her hair — her glory and identity, now surrendered.
- Her perfume — her past transformed into worship.
At His feet, her story changed forever.
2. What the Pharisee Missed
The Pharisee welcomed Christ into his house but not into his heart.
He washed dishes, but not his soul.
He offered words, but not water.
He kept the law, but missed the love.
He represents the believer who does everything right outwardly—but never kneels inwardly.
Christ entered his home, but the woman entered His heart.
Let us not be like Simon, hosting Christ on our lips but not in our hearts.
Let us not offer prayers that never reach the ground of humility.
3. The Woman and the Church
The Fathers teach that this woman symbolizes the Church.
She is every soul that comes to Christ with tears, silence, and love.
- Her water represents baptism and the cleansing of the Spirit.
- Her tears represent ongoing repentance.
- Her hair represents the body serving the Lord.
- Her kiss represents the love and peace of reconciliation.
- Her perfume represents good works and holy living.
The Church never stands tall before her Lord—she always kneels.
And every soul that kneels with her finds mercy at His feet.
4. Christ: The Lover of the Broken
This chapter of Luke reveals the full heart of Christ:
He healed the stranger (the centurion’s servant).
He raised the widow’s son.
And He forgave the sinner.
The same Christ who walked into that Pharisee’s house walks into our lives every day.
He comes not to be served but to serve; not to judge but to lift up.
He looks for hearts that are humble enough to weep—and brave enough to begin again.
Christ’s love is not selective. It does not measure worth; it restores it.
He is still called in the Coptic Liturgy: “The Lover of Mankind.”
And the one who loves mankind never stops loving—even when mankind forgets Him.
5. Applying Her Example to Our Life
A. Respond with Action
She didn’t just feel sorry—she moved.
She left her home, walked into a hostile room, and knelt at His feet.
Repentance is not a feeling; it’s a step toward Jesus.
Application: When God stirs your heart, move! Go to confession, pray, reconcile, forgive. Let grace turn conviction into change.
B. Embrace Humility
She didn’t justify her sin or blame others.
She faced herself—and found God waiting there.
Application: True repentance begins when we stop explaining and start surrendering.
Humility doesn’t humiliate—it heals.
C. Offer Your Best
She brought the best she had—the perfume of her past.
Christ doesn’t need your perfection; He desires your perfume.
Application: Give Christ your best—your time, your gifts, your effort, your heart.
What you give with love, He multiplies with grace.
D. Break Barriers
She ignored judgmental eyes and the whispers of shame.
Faith walks past fear.
Application: Don’t let the opinions of others stop your encounter with Christ.
The door to His mercy is never locked from His side.
E. Extend Grace to Others
She was forgiven much, and she loved much.
Those who have been touched by mercy become ambassadors of mercy.
Application: Forgive quickly. Love deeply. Let the fragrance of grace fill every room you walk into.
6. The Power of Tears
In God’s eyes, tears are sacred.
They are not signs of weakness—they are the language of love.
St. Ephrem the Syrian said:
“The tears of repentance are greater than the waters of baptism,
for baptism washes the body once, but tears wash the soul many times.”
And St. Isaac the Syrian added:
“When grace comes to a heart softened by tears,
it makes the soul radiant like the sun.”
The sinful woman’s tears still shine in heaven—because they were born not of guilt, but of gratitude.
7. The Invitation for Us Today
Beloved, the Lord still sits at the table today—this time, in the Eucharist.
And He still waits for sinners to come.
Let us come as she came—without excuses, without pride, without fear.
Let us fall at His feet and pour out our hearts,
for every time a soul kneels before Him, heaven stands still.
At His feet, sins are forgiven.
At His feet, shame is lifted.
At His feet, broken hearts begin to beat again.
He still says to every trembling soul:
“Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.” (Luke 7:48, 50)
Conclusion
At the feet of Jesus:
- Martha found her service.
- Mary found her silence.
- The disciples found cleansing.
- The healed found gratitude.
- The sinner found love.
Every encounter at His feet ends with peace.
Let us live there — serving, listening, weeping, forgiving, and worshiping — until the day we fall before His throne in eternal love.
Closing Blessing
May the Lord bless us,
soften our hearts with tears,
cleanse us with His mercy,
and fill our lives with the fragrance of His love.
May we learn to kneel more than we speak,
to love more than we judge,
and to forgive more than we remember.
And may every heart that kneels before Him rise renewed,
for His word still says:
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Amen.