Jesus and the Sinful Woman

As I read the passage for today, in my Beth Moore study, I'm again in awe of just how powerful the love of Christ is!
Luke 7:36-50 tells a story of Jesus being invited to dine with a Pharisee. As the men are reclining after dinner, a sinful woman from the local town walks unannounced, into the house.
Let me set the stage before I go on.
In Christ's day, cities resembled small villages or settlements more so than a large metropolis. Thus, gossip spread like wild fire. Everyone seemed to know the going's on of others within the settlement. A small community increases the risk of one being judged for his/her actions and being anonymous is not likely to happen. The shame that is put upon someone only magnifies the hurt and often tightens the chains of bondage. Sometimes it's easier to break free from the behavior than it is the disapproval of those living around you.
The woman in the story, walks in and kneels behind Jesus. She is sobbing and her tears are falling on Jesus' feet. All the while, she's wiping off her tears with her hair and kissing His feet, over and over again. She then takes an alabaster jar filled with perfume and pours it on Jesus' feet, continuing to wipe His feet with her hair.
The Pharisee is appalled! He mumbles 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."
You see, this Pharisee is placing wrongful judgement upon this woman. Yes, she has sinned, probably in ways the Pharisee has yet to imagine, but let he who hath no sin, cast the first stone.  You know the saying, if you point one finger at someone, you have three pointing right back at you? I think that saying is fitting for this part of the story.
Jesus holds the Pharisee accountable by explaining that he didn't anoint Jesus, nor did the Phariseet wash Jesus' feet before He entered the home (a courtesy extended to guests because sandaled feet got very dirty), but the woman did all of that and with very expensive perfume. The Pharisee didn't greet Jesus with a kiss either, but the woman, while she was sobbing, was kissing Jesus' feet and wiping them with her hair.
Did this Pharisee think he was too good to treat Jesus in a respectable manner? Did he think his sins were not as serious as the sins of the woman?

I'd like to quote Beth Moore, "... dirt is dirt..." (referencing sin)"... and we've all got it no matter where we come from. I'm not sure Christ sees one kind of dirt as dirtier than another. One thing is for sure: His blood is able to bleach any stain left by any kind of dirt."

The Pharisee probably didn't sleep around or take bribes or externalize his depravity, but he also didn't greet Jesus with a holy kiss, anoint Him with oil/perfume, nor gave Jesus water for His feet. But the woman did.
We are commanded in Mark 12:30, to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with our strength and with all our mind. This is exactly what the sinful woman did.
At the end of this story, Jesus says to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven... Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Only those who realize the depth of their sin can appreciate the complete forgiveness God offers them.
After all the ridicule and shame this woman had endured, she can now go on her way, peacefully, knowing her God has forgiven her sins.
Are you living in your past, feeling the load of shame from your sins on your shoulders? Release them to the One who shed His blood on the cross for the forgiveness of your sins. Know in your heart that you have been forgiven and walk in peace.