Luke 7:36-50
This passage has been heavy on my heart for many days. This piece of scripture describes an interaction between Jesus, The Pharisee named Simon, and a woman who has led a “sinful life”. Jesus comes into Simons home and is having dinner with him. The woman heard of the dinner and showed up. When she arrived she wept on Jesus’ feet and cleaned them with her hair. The woman began kissing His feet and pouring her most expensive perfume on them. Simon told Jesus, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him. He would know what kind of woman she is. She is a sinner”. Jesus then asked Simon, “Two people owed money to a certain lender. One owed him 500 silver coins. The other owed him 50 silver coins. Neither of them had the money to pay him back. So he let them go without paying. Which of them will love him more?”
Simon replied, “Well, the one who owed more”.
Jesus then explained that while Simon had invited Him to dinner, Simon did not wash his feet, but the woman had wiped them clean with her tears. Simon did not kiss Jesus’ forehead but the woman kissed His feet. Simon did not put oil on Jesus’ head but the woman had poured out her most expensive perfumes.
Jesus then said, “So I tell you this. Her many sins have been forgiven. She has shown that she understands this by her great acts of love. But whoever has been forgiven only a little loves only a little.” He turned to the woman and told her that her sins were forgiven. The others who where at dinner began to talk and asking, “Who is this who even forgives sin?”
Jesus said to the woman, “You faith has saved you, go in peace”. I think this passage is so relevant in today’s times. Many of us look at one another, especially other Christians, and tend to pass judgement based on their past or actions. But in this scripture Jesus explains that the woman owed so much because of her sins, that she gave everything at the feet of Christ, for His forgiveness. She had done things she knew were wrong and showed her devout faithfulness to Him. Jesus saw this, and knowing her sin, forgave the woman completely. I think we can all agree that we have sinned, I know I have. While some may pass judgement for my past transgressions, I know in my heart that I have poured myself out to Him. I have begged for His forgiveness and I KNOW my faith has saved me. I think we can all take a lesson from this scripture. God asks us to be kind, forgiving, humble and loving. To accept each other for who we are and mistakes we have made. You never know who is going through what. But if we could all have a fraction of the understand and compassion that Jesus’ had, we could be a little better as people.
