Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
The story of Jesus attending a dinner party hosted by Simon the Pharisee is a portrayal of contrasts. Not only does Jesus attend an event where there are those who oppose Him (Pharisees), but He also finds one sorrowfully repentant woman who very much understands who she is, who Jesus is, what she needs from Him, and what she needs to give Him. Instead of opposition she lends affirming support and receives His gift of forgiveness and peace.
Luke 7:36-50 tells the story. Even though some link Luke’s report to the other three anointing stories as told by Matthew, Mark, and John, there is a distinctiveness in the word of the Third Evangelist. For example, Luke is the only one who calls the woman a sinner and the dinner’s host is not called a Pharisee.
Simon the Pharisee’s response to her action is one of condemnation and embarrassment. He cannot believe that Jesus would even allow such a thing to happen – a woman of ill-repute wetting His feet with her tears, wiping them with her hair, then kissing them, and finally pouring costly oil on His feet and massaging it in to the skin. “Are you kidding me?” is the silent reply of Simon.
As the story unfolds, Jesus offers poignant instruction on gratitude and forgiveness. Simon’s mind is blown since Jesus hears his thoughts! That would have gotten my attention and I’m sure yours, too! By telling a parable about a certain lender who had two debtors, Jesus gracefully, but firmly, puts Simon and the other self-righteous guests in their places. What this lady did, Simon did not do for Jesus. Now none of these actions were required by a dinner-host, per se; but doing them demonstrates a genuine welcome and honor to have any guest in one’s home.
Simon and his friends get the message. The text is silent as to their response. There is no evidence they came under “conviction.” Let’s hope they did! Given the outcome of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem (death by crucifixion), they probably didn’t.
We all are sinners. Some of us may be notorious, while others are not. Some may commit a heinous act that is obviously sin. Others may do something inconsequential, but it is sin. We all stand in need of God’s grace of forgiveness through Christ. It is way too easy for those of us who have been believers for a long time to look, with disdain, on those we know to be more horrible than we, like this supposedly lowlife sinner-woman. Or so we think we know.
Jesus passionately wants to look each of us in the eye and say, “Your sins are forgiven… Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (vv. 48, 50). He’s not going to do that until we, like this woman, recognize who we are and boldly come to Him with an attitude of gracious humility and heartbreak over our condition. Only then will we truly hear those words.
“Wash Your Feet with My Tears” is sung by Juliet Lyons. It is two minutes fifteen seconds.
As you read these reflections, I am privileged to be with eight other Garden Lakes Baptist Church members on a missional journey in Leon, Nicaragua. We departed on Friday for five days of service in this Central American country. Our work begins in earnest today and is sponsored by Nicamerican Missions. We have joined with our sisters and brothers from Young Harris Memorial United Methodist Church in Athens, GA and four other souls from the north Georgia area. Some will be doing construction, while the rest of us will be doing Vacation Bible School in the mornings and distributing and setting up clean water filters throughout the area in the afternoons. I covet your prayers for everyone, but especially the journeyers I am most fortunate to serve as pastor: Hannah Abbott, Sam Babb, Kathryn Gibson, Hannah Lucas, Smith Lucas, Greg Mull, Sandy Mull, and Ashleigh Tatum. Pray for me, as well.
