Luke 7:40-50
According to one insightful commentator everything about this woman is wrong. She does not belong here, and her actions only serve to substantiate this fact even more in Simon’s eye. Her actions of loosening her hair in public, touching, and kissing Jesus’ feet, using her hair to wipe His feet – all seem very scandalous to Simon. He just couldn’t believe what he was seeing and transpiring before his very eyes, and that Jesus would allow such actions to be performed on Him – was quite incomprehensible to Simon. In fact, it really seemed to infuriate him, if not shock him. His mind was made up. Not only was this woman contemptuously sinful, but it also made Jesus quite suspect and unimpressive in Simon’s eyes. All he knew was she did not belong and had no right whatsoever to be there.
However, as we scrutinize the passage, we find that the spirit of Simon is by no means dormant or for that matter dead. It’s very much alive in our twenty-first century church. Like Simon, many sit back and set themselves up as judge, jury, and executioner. They see themselves as the standard. They callously judge and despise all who they think, do not measure up. They want to be in charge of every decision made and have the power to get rid of whomever they choose. They think it’s up to them who gets to sit at the table. However, thank God for Jesus! He is indeed the true judge. He is the true standard of holiness and righteousness, and He determines who gets to sit at the table and who indeed is worthy.
The passage eloquently teaches the church that Jesus constantly reaches out to those who are marginalized and downtrodden. Those who are on the outside, He brings to the inside. Those who do not stand a chance, He allows them to come in, cleans them up and gives them a chance. Unlike Simon and the others, Jesus received the devotion of this woman and allowed her the fellowship of His company and the blessings of His forgiving grace. At this point, I must put down my pen and rejoice for a while! That, “He hath put down the mighty from their seats and exalted them of low degree” (Luke 1:52) – is great cause for rejoicing!
It is interesting how Jesus uses the element of contrast to great effect in the passage. He powerfully contrasts Simon with this “sinner” woman who probably was a former prostitute and who was more than ceremonially unclean! Jesus makes it pointedly clear, “I came into your house, you gave me no water to wash my feet. She wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she has not failed to smother my feet with kisses. You gave me no oil for my head, but she brought the most expensive ointment and anointed my feet” (vs 44-46). Thus, when the facts are considered, Simon does not compare with this sinner woman, not even on the level of basic human courtesy of the Middle Eastern society. He fails miserably. He invited Jesus to be his guest, but was most inhospitable. Somehow, he forgot to be kind. How do you do that? Who does that? Unfortunately, many!
However, it is with keen interest we observe that this newly converted woman refuses to be distracted and derailed by Simon’s contempt for her and his despicable attitude of superiority and disdain for her. He deems her unworthy and irredeemable. It would take more than “hypocrite” Simon to turn her off or away from Jesus. Gratefulness for the grace of forgiveness, makes her come. Her love for Jesus drowns out every evil distraction. Moved by her worship and sincere devotion, Jesus gives her a place at the table and no demon could stop it! In Jesus’ eyes, she belonged. It is our duty to see people as He does and help to eagerly give them a seat at the table, where they belong!
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL OUR FATHERS!
Leroy V. Greenaway
Presiding Bishop – Northeast Region
