DAY #101: Luke 7:36-8:3

While Jesus did dine with tax collectors and others whom the religious elite thought to be “sinners”, he also would share a meal with a Pharisee. This Pharisee was named Simon. When guests came to a home for dinner, they would remove their sandals; then their feet would be washed by servants.

A meal such as this was not a private affair; people could come in, sit around the edges, watch what went on, and listen to the conversation. This, then, is how it came to pass that a "Sinful" woman would find herself at the home of a Pharisee. Her reputation would have proceeded her and she would not necessarily be welcome among this company of people. So it probably took her great courage to attend.

Although the woman was not an invited guest, she entered the house anyway and knelt behind Jesus at his feet. These people were reclining as they ate, so the woman anointed Jesus’ feet without approaching the table. She began weeping, and as her tears fell on his feet, she wiped them off with her hair. This woman understood that Jesus was very special.

Perhaps she, as a sinner, had come to Jesus with great sorrow for her sin. Perhaps she had followed John the Baptist and had confessed her sins. She may have been in the crowds that had been following Jesus and had come to believe in him. She may have come to Jesus grateful for being forgiven and so offering him the gift of her valuable perfume. To wash Jesus’ feet was a sign of deep humility—it was the job of a slave.

The Pharisee looked over from his meal and saw what was happening—that is, he saw this woman with a notorious reputation in his house, near his table, weeping and pouring perfume on the feet of his guest. Any self-respecting rabbi would have realized this woman’s sinful nature and recoiled at being touched by her—for to be touched by a sinner would make Jesus unclean and the Pharisees avoided any contact with “uncleanness.”

This religious leader had no concern for this woman’s plight, no desire to lift her from her sinful life, or to help her become a better Jewish woman. Instead, he judged her as a sinner, shoved her aside, and presumed that any other rabbi (and especially one who was a “prophet”) would do the same.

Jesus knew the Pharisee’s thoughts and so spoke up. (Simon had already made a judgment of Jesus and probably felt morally superior to him as well.) Jesus then began to tell a story about two men who owed money to a creditor. This creditor had one man who owed him five hundred pieces of silver, and another who owed him fifty pieces. It would not be difficult for Simon to see which debtor would love the creditor more if he forgave them both their debts.

Although it is God’s grace through faith that saves, and not acts of love or generosity, this woman’s act demonstrated her true faith, and Jesus honored her faith by telling her in no uncertain terms, “Your sins are forgiven.” Jesus supported this woman and treated her with dignity. Believers need to demonstrate Jesus’ approach in dealing with people.

SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)

"Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Luke 7:47 (NIV)

Here in this passage, we see the gift of forgiveness and how it changes a persons life. This "sinful" woman had a past. She had a sordid story. Jesus was not ignorant of the past, He just didn't dwell on it. He cares far to much about where we are going than where we have been. This woman response? She poured out her love. She loved lavishly and unabashedly. She loved freely.

This is a common life value for those who are in daily touch with how God has forgiven them. They know where they have come from. They know the debts that they have been freed from. They know the capacity for evil in their own lives and they are blown away by how Jesus loves them. Further, they extend forgiveness and love to others in their world.

Do you have a problem loving? A problem forgiving? A problem with bringing up anothers past? Maybe the real problem is that your are out of touch with how much the Father has forgiven you. Maybe it's been to long since you got on your knees to thank God for His mercy upon you.

Help me Lord to be a lover of people. Help me Lord to daily remember how much you have forgiven me. Build people at COV who are great lovers of others.

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load." Galatians 6:1-5 (NIV)