precious sweet-smelling ointment upon them. Perhaps she had heard some
beautiful words which Jesus had just been saying to the people out of
doors--

'COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE
YOU BEST.'

Her sins were like a heavy load, and so she had come to Jesus.

But Simon thought to himself, 'If Jesus had really come from God, He
would have known how wicked this woman is, and He would not have
allowed her to touch Him.'

Jesus knew what Simon was thinking, and He said that once upon a time
there were two men who owed some money. One owed a great deal of
money, and the other owed a little. But when the time came for them to
pay the money they could not do it. And the kind man forgave them both.

Jesus then asked Simon which of the two men would love that kind friend
most.

Simon said, 'I suppose he to whom he forgave most.'

Jesus said that that was quite right. Then He turned to the woman, and
said to Simon: 'Seest thou this woman? I came into thine house; thou
gavest Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with tears,
and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest Me no kiss, but
this woman, since the time I came in, hath not ceased to kiss My feet:
My head with oil thou didst not anoint, but she hath anointed My feet
with ointment. I say unto thee, her sins, which are many, are