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Our actions are often an accurate reflection of our thoughts about Jesus and the nature of our relationship with Him. But an even more telling indicator is our inaction or our failure to act. Such was the case one night in the home of Simon the Pharisee, who had invited Jesus to dine with him.(1)
We’re not told Simon’s purpose for inviting Jesus into his home. We don’t know if Simon was a sincere seeker like Nicodemus—wanting to truly get to know Jesus, or whether he had some ulterior motive in mind. Regardless, he extended an invitation to Jesus, and Jesus chose to accept. Remember, nothing about Jesus’ journey was random; it was a part of the Father’s plan for Jesus to dine with Simon that night.
In those days, it was customary for outsiders to hover around a banquet in order to watch the “important people” and listen in on their conversations. The dinner did not take place behind closed doors, making it easy for anyone to gain access. However, it is important to note that Jewish rabbis did not speak to or dine with women in public. No woman would have been invited to the banquet, especially not one of ill repute.
We read that the woman knelt behind Jesus at His feet.(2) For those of us accustomed to dining at a table as we sit in a chair, it may be difficult to envision this. However, it makes more sense if we understand that Jesus would have been reclining on a couch, leaning on His arm with His feet sticking out in back. The woman had positioned herself there, kneeling at Jesus’ feet as she wept.
She had brought an offering to Jesus. Not a financial gift—it was far more valuable than money. It was a “beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume.” But of even greater value were her tears. The perfume and her tears mingled as a sweet expression of repentance and thanksgiving to the One who had enabled her to lay down her heavy burden of sin and receive forgiveness. Her weight had been lifted by the only One who could lift it. There she knelt, expressing her gratitude and joy, offering her tears mixed with perfume and kissing His feet as an act of worship.
When Simon saw what was happening, “he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, He would know what kind of woman is touching Him. She’s a sinner!’”(3) Simon’s action was one of revulsion toward the woman and criticism of Jesus. How could she, an immoral woman, dare to do what she was doing? And how could Jesus dare to permit her to do so?
But Jesus knew exactly what Simon was thinking. After all, Jesus never entrusted Himself to any man, “because He knew all people and… He knew what was in man.”(4)
Jesus told Simon this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon replied, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”
At this point, Jesus acknowledges the woman at His feet for the first time. However, His remarks are directed not to her but to Simon. Jesus reminds Simon that although he had invited Jesus into his home, he had not truly welcomed Him. Simon had not provided water for Jesus to wash His feet, a common courtesy. He had not greeted Jesus with a kiss on the cheek or anointed His head with oil, customary greetings for a guest. Simon, who had the most to offer, offered nothing.
The woman, who had the least to give, gave all that she had. She knew she had much for which to be forgiven and had released that heavy burden to Jesus. Now she offered all that she had in worship and thanksgiving. In contrast, Simon mistakenly believed he had nothing for which to be forgiven, remaining blind to the Savior in his midst. Consequently, he gave nothing; there was nothing in his heart to give. He didn’t give out of thanksgiving and love, nor did he even give out of common courtesy.
And when Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven”, all Simon and his other guests could say among themselves was “Who is this Man, that He goes around forgiving sins?”(5)
The evening ended very differently for the woman and Simon. The woman, who had dared to anoint the feet of Jesus and give all that she had out of a repentant, forgiven heart, walked away in peace, saved by her faith. In contrast, Simon, with his cold, indifferent heart, remained unchanged and dead in his sin.
As we walk with the Master, let us take care not to walk as Simon did—being with Jesus but unaffected by Him. Let us ensure that we’re not merely going through the motions of following Jesus without a repentant and surrendered heart. We must make certain that we’re not just giving the outward appearance of following Jesus when there has been no inward change in our lives. Rather, let us dare to anoint the One who has forgiven our sins and paid our sin debt. Let us dare to show Him the worship, thanksgiving, and love He is due—with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and possessions. Let us not remain unchanged. Instead, let us dare to walk with Him in peace.
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You can read about this interaction in the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Luke.
This post is taken from chapter 26 of my book, Walking With The Master. For more information about the book, click here.
(1) Luke 7:36-50
(2) Luke 7:38
(3) Luke 7:39
(4) John 2:24-25 (NLT)
(5) Luke 7:48-49 (NLT)
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