The Jesus Podcast

Episode: Broken: Jesus & The Prostitute

Host: Zach (Pray.com)
Date: October 25, 2025

Overview

This episode of The Jesus Podcast presents a vivid retelling of the Gospel story of the unnamed woman—a prostitute—who approaches Jesus with an alabaster flask of ointment. Integrating moving narrative, spiritual reflection, and relatable application, the episode centers on the themes of brokenness, courage, sacrificial worship, forgiveness, and the redemptive love of Christ. Through a blend of dramatized storytelling and thoughtful commentary, listeners are drawn into the emotional and spiritual journey of both the woman (named "Ahava" for this episode) and the onlookers in Jesus’ day, challenging us to examine our own posture toward shame, worship, and receiving God’s grace.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Ahava’s Brokenness and Search for Hope

• Setting the Scene: Listeners are immersed in the life of Ahava, a prostitute burdened by shame and regret, longing for a way out:
  • "No little girl grew up expecting to be a woman of the night. Her life was a tragedy... She had suffered broken bones and broken dreams at the hands of evil men. Ahava felt broken. The weight of her shame was like an anchor, dragging her deeper into despair." (01:30)
• Hearing Jesus’ Message: Ahava, moved by Jesus’ teaching—“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (03:50 & 04:49)—becomes convicted and desperate for a new life.
• Decision to Change: The turning point comes when Ahava decides to leave her life behind, taking with her only her alabaster flask (her most valued possession), as a symbol of her hope for redemption:
  • "She looked at her friends with watered eyes. 'I can't stay here anymore. It's time for something new.'" (06:18)
  • "She darted for the door... her livelihood. Her chance to start over." (06:36)

2. The Courageous Act of Worship

• Unwelcome Arrival: Ahava enters a Pharisee’s home where Jesus is dining—fully aware of the risk of judgment and shame from the religious elite.
  • "The woman held her head low. She wore a shawl over her to hide the gown she worked in. She didn't want to make a scene... She only wanted to see Jesus." (12:36)
• The Offering: Ignoring stares and whispers, Ahava breaks her alabaster flask and anoints Jesus' feet with the precious ointment, washing them with her tears and hair—a costly, deeply personal act of love and repentance.
  • "She pulled out an alabaster flask that hung around her neck... the fragrance burst through the air... She worshipped him in the best way she knew how. Like the alabaster flask, Ahava was broken on the outside. But within her was beauty and value. Jesus saw her." (17:45)

3. Confrontation with Religious Judgment

• Pharisee’s Disdain: Simon the Pharisee murmurs, “This is what I get for inviting a friend of sinners to my home.” (19:10)
• Jesus’ Parable: Jesus responds to Simon and the crowd with a parable about two debtors, teaching that those forgiven much, love much.
  • “There once was a moneylender who had two debtors. One owed 500 and the other 50. So the moneylender forgave them both and canceled the debts. Tell me, which of those debtors will favor the moneylender more?” (20:26)
• Affirmation of Ahava: Jesus contrasts Simon’s lack of hospitality with Ahava’s devotion:
  • "Simon, when I entered your home, you gave me no water to wash my feet or no oil for my head. You didn't even bother greeting me at the door. And yet this woman has shown me more honor in a single moment than you have this whole night." (21:11)
  • “Her sins, which are many, are forgiven and she has loved more in this one gesture than any one of you could put together.” (21:41)
• Transformation: Jesus lifts Ahava up, restoring her dignity and granting her a new life:
  • "He turned to the woman, held her head and looked her in the eyes like a loving father. Ahava beamed from ear to ear. A new life awaited her... She knew she would never return to the alley." (21:55)

4. Host Reflection: Applications for Listeners (25:46)

Host Zach (Pray.com) draws out practical lessons and spiritual truths from the narrative:

• Worship Leaves Shame Behind:
  • "She wouldn't let her shame hinder her from coming before the Lord... drawing near to Jesus in worship allows us to leave our fear and shame behind as we lay our lives before Jesus."
• Worship Requires Sacrifice:
  • "Worship is an overflow of our adoration for God, and it's an ascribing of worth. The true worship of God requires sacrifice, declaring that God is worth giving up anything for."
• Worship Comes from Relationship, Not Performance:
  • "Worship isn't a means by which we gain or earn God's approval, but rather... God has already poured out the fullness of his love towards you."
• Worship Is a Response to Truth:
  • "The words of Jesus drove out her fear. The words of Jesus shattered her shame. The words of Jesus mended her broken heart... genuine and spiritual worship is grounded in truth."
• Knowing God Deepens Worship:
  • "The more truth we learn about God, the more we learn about his character, the deeper reservoir of love we have, and the more we are effectively able to worship Him."
• A Call to Action:
  • "If you're feeling any ounce of brokenness... turn your attention to Jesus. Look at the Gospel and how he broke himself for you... God wants to lift that burden from your shoulders."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jesus (to Simon): “Simon, may I say something?... There once was a moneylender who had two debtors. One... owed 500 and the other owed 50. So the moneylender forgave them both... Tell me, which of those debtors will favor the moneylender more?” (19:35–20:40)
• Jesus (to all): “Hear me, all of you. Her sins, which are many, are forgiven and she has loved more in this one gesture than any one of you could put together.” (21:41)
• Zach (Host): “What the story of this prostitute shows us is that the best way to walk through our brokenness is to be at the feet of Jesus. Worship aligns our hearts with God’s rest and resets our priorities and reminds us of his goodness.” (25:46)
• Narrator: “Like the alabaster flask, Ahava was broken on the outside. But within her was beauty and value. Jesus saw her.” (17:45)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – Intro, prayer, dramatic introduction of Ahava and her brokenness
• 03:50 – Jesus’ message: “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance”
• 06:36 – Ahava’s decision and departure from the brothel (turning point)
• 11:53 – Scene shifts to Simon the Pharisee’s house; tension as Ahava enters
• 17:45 – Ahava’s sacrificial anointing of Jesus
• 19:10 – Pharisee’s indignation, Jesus’ parable begins
• 21:11 – Jesus publicly honors Ahava, contrasts Simon's lack of hospitality
• 21:41 – Jesus forgives Ahava, bestows dignity and a new beginning
• 25:46 – Host commentary: applications for worship, shame, and knowing God

Conclusion

This episode is a moving reminder that Jesus seeks out the broken, values heartfelt worship over religious propriety, and offers restoration to all, regardless of their past. The story of Ahava—courageous, costly, and deeply personal—mirrors our own journey out of shame and into wholeness through Christ. Through dramatic retelling and insightful reflection, listeners are encouraged to approach Jesus with honesty, sacrifice, and open hearts, knowing they are seen, forgiven, and beloved by Him.

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