Day 14 of 49
Jesus engaged all types of people as he ministered in Judea and Galilee. Crowds followed him everywhere…I imagine that some camped outside his door at night so they would be first to see him in the morning.
Some followed him out of desperation for a miracle. Some followed him for his life giving words that provided hope and a challenge. Some followed him for his celebrity status.
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment,
38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.
39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”
40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”
41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet.
46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.
47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?”
50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Lk 7:36–50.
Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his house. Basic hospitality required the washing of a guest’s feet. A person of honor also received a kiss and an anointing with oil. Not only did Simon not honor the guest he invited into his house, he refused Jesus the very basic hospitality.
Did he think a country preacher not worth the time and effort to honor? If so, why invite him in the first place?
Did he see Jesus as a means to up his own celebrity status?
Was he trying to find a way to expose Jesus as a fraud?
Contrast the Pharisee with the sinful woman. She entered the house, probably shocking all who attended. She cried at Jesus feet, washing them and drying them with her hair. She anointed his feet with perfume from her alabaster box.
Alabaster is a soft stone used often in the day for holding perfume. They used alabaster to make jars with small necks that would be broken to pour out the perfume. The bottles and the perfume cost a lot, and may have been her entire savings.
We are made aware of Simon’s thoughts. This woman is a sinner. If Jesus really is a prophet, then he knows what type of woman she is and would not let her touch him. If he is a prophet and knows who she is, then he is not holy since he let her touch him. Either way, he cannot be who he claims to be.
Jesus knows his thoughts and responds with a parable. Two debtors owe what they cannot pay, one in greater debt than the other. Both debts are forgiven. Then Jesus asks which would love the forgiver more.
Simon answers with an “I suppose”, he didn’t want to be caught in a trap.
Jesus said, he judged correctly. Then he made Simon look at the woman. He compared the treatment Jesus had received at the hand of each.
By pointing out the comparison, everyone attending would know that Simon and the sinful woman were the characters in the parable. Not only did the woman need forgiveness, so did Simon.
The woman sought forgiveness from Jesus, and received it. Like the forgiveness of the paralytic, the people at the table wondered about Jesus’ ability to forgive. We have no response from Simon as to whether he sought forgiveness or not.
Usually sermons and devotionals focus on the woman. Her narrative has power and is a beautiful picture of Christ’s forgiveness.
But I wanted to focus on the Pharisee and his lack of awareness of his need. Jesus offers forgiveness to all, from the most sinful to the person who thinks they have no sin.
Lord, thank you for your forgiveness. Help us to not take for granted all that you have done for us.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.
Is 53:3–7.
TRICIA LATHROP 