Luke Chapter 7: Verses 36-46 (NIV-UK)
When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said 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.’
Jesus answered him, ‘Simon, I have something to tell you.’
‘Tell me, teacher,’ he said. ‘Two people owed money to a certain money-lender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?’
Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.’
‘You have judged correctly,’ Jesus said.
Then he turned towards the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
Most of the pharisees would not have considered spending time with Jesus, especially inviting Him to their home. They would be concerned as to the repercussions of do so. Even Nicodemus came initially to Jesus at night so that no one knew. We don’t read that there was a crowd of people there, unlike when Matthew the tax collector threw a banquet at his home. Perhaps, Simon the pharisee was intrigued. Perhaps he wanted to question Jesus without the interruption of others. Jesus didn’t say no. He may have been criticised for eating with tax collectors and sinners, but he ate with pharisees too. He gave everyone the opportunity of hearing the Good News. That night it was to include Simon the pharisee and an unnamed prostitute.
Perhaps she came to the house because it was a small gathering, hearing that the other religious leaders had stayed away. She seized her chance to come to Jesus, and Jesus used the opportunity to teach Simon the meaning of forgiveness and compassion.
We don’t read how Simon responded to what Jesus taught him. Perhaps he’d hoped to discuss doctrinal issues, but I’m sure he didn’t expect things to get quite so personal. No matter what sort of face we try to put on things, God always gets right to the heart of the matter. Nothing can be hidden from God. Jesus didn’t expose Simon’s lack of courtesy to embarrass him. That’s why I believe it was a private gathering. When Jesus speaks to us about our wrong doing He always does it very compassionately. It’s then up to us to respond. We’re not told how Simon responded. I hope he did the right thing.
When we get the opportunity to share the Good News with someone who has perhaps been sceptical in the past, we should do so. And we should deal with their questions and opinions sensitively and compassionately. We should also not be surprised if God uses the opportunity to show them that He knows all about their circumstances, just as He knows ours. That’s why Christians should also be careful to be led by the nudging of the Holy Spirit.
Dear Lord,
I am grateful that You know how best to speak to me about the issues in my life that need sorting out and that You do so with compassion and grace. Help me to do the same to others without making judgements about them. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.