They say, until we walk a mile in the shoes of another, we cannot know why they do what they do. We should not judge them until we understand their walk. Hold back judgement until we see where they have been and what they have endured.
There was going to be a judging in the home of a certain Pharisee. He had welcomed a guest to dine with him. The guest was Jesus. A sinner learned of this meeting and made a decision that would change her life forever. She was going to “crash” the party. That took a certain measure of courage. Have we ever been the source of conversation, either justly or unjustly? Then we would understand completely, the courage it took to step into a room full of critical eyes. The Pharisee knew her as a sinner, so must the rest of the community.
She came with an alabaster vial of very expensive oil of nard or spikenard. Spikenard was a very valued perfume. Produced by a flowering plant from the Valerian family. I note that she was standing behind Him, weeping. She drops to her knees and begins to wet His feet with her tears and at the same time anointing them with the oil of value, from her alabaster jar.
~Thought For Today~
She was full of so much shame that she could not stand in front of Him, but approached from behind. She was honoring Him. She obviously knew He could offer her forgiveness. Why else would she seek Him out? I note that she doesn’t come begging for forgiveness. She comes first in awe of who He was, honoring Him with the most valuable thing she had to give. Loving Him before He forgave. She sought Him out. She went looking for Him. She believed He could help her.
The host of this event is watching from afar. He is sizing up this situation. He has decided that this Jesus could not be a prophet. If He was a prophet, then He would know this woman touching Him was a sinner.
I wonder what the Pharisee thought Jesus would have done differently were He to be “the prophet” he had created in his mind? Was he thinking Jesus would have lashed out at her? Cursed her existence? Thrown her out? Ridiculed her before her community? Labeled her a castaway? Placed a mark of scarlet upon her face to label her? Make her the talk of the town? Anoint her the new topic of gossip in the town square? Or drag her to face stoning?
This Pharisee has said these thoughts to himself. Jesus knew his thoughts and He responds to them. That is proof to me that He knows our thoughts, as well. Sobering when we think of the thoughts we have when looking down our nose at the sins of others, with a most holier than thou attitude.
Ponder over this scripture for a while and see what you come to. I saw this Pharisee as a man who felt that he was not in the same class with “sinners.” Nothing came to his mind that he needed forgiveness for. He felt he could approach his guest face to face. No guilt here, to cast his eyes down, in shame. A law-abiding citizen. Nothing in his history to cast his face from the Master’s eyes and drop him to His feet in a heap of remorseful tears. In fact, he saw no reason to honor his guest with the traditional offer of water to wash His feet. He did not greet Him with a kiss of welcome or anoint Him in blessings of oil. I don’t see this invitation meant to honor the guest at all. It was more to judge who this was that was causing a stir. Form an opinion, to report to the rest of the sinless, law-abiding Pharisees.
It is true that the one who is forgiven much will love more. They will shout praises to their Lord, before anyone, without shame. They will seek Him daily. Long to be in His presence, kneeling in reverence. Only God the Father and Jesus know where we have been, what we have endured, how much needs to be forgiven, and how grieved we are of our mistakes. For you see, it is only Jesus, who knows the source of our tears and the cost of the oil we pour over His feet.
~Scripture For Today~
Luke 7:36-39
36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, 38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.” (NASB)
Luke 7:40-50
40 And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 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 she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. 47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! Thank You Father, that You loved us enough to send Jesus. That we might experience forgiveness as we kneel at His feet. That in His grace and mercy, He reached down and lifted us to our feet and forgave us. Father, we pray for any who have yet to meet Your Son. We pray that they come to the saving grace that belief in Jesus brings. Forgive us of our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
©2015 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.