In Luke 7:36-50 we read about an anonymous woman who “crashes” a party that was given in honor of Jesus. Jesus had been invited to the home of a prominent Pharisee, whose name was Simon. With many guests in attendance, Jesus was the guest of honor because of his reputation as a teacher and healer. Simon was not committed to Jesus and his motives for entertaining Jesus are suspect because he seemed to be looking for evidence that Jesus was not all that the common people believed about Him (see 7:39). But while the invited guests were dining, our aforementioned woman appeared on the scene and stood behind Jesus who was lying on a couch with his feet extended toward the wall as was the case during these kinds of banquets. (I would have preferred a chair but then I was not invited)
It was customary in those days to permit entry to uninvited guests, usually poor people or those curious to listen in on the conversation going on at the banquet table. Often the poor could take home leftovers at the conclusion of the party; but whatever their reason for showing up these “crashers” were expected to stand quietly in the background. It was somewhat disconcerting to say the least, therefore, when our anonymous woman began weeping and shed tears at Jesus’ feet. Then she began wiping the tears with her hair and if that was not a sufficient “disturbance” she proceeded to break open her alabaster flask of expensive perfume and liberally poured it on Jesus’ feet. And to Simon’s surprise or was it disgust, Jesus did nothing about it. He also said nothing but his thoughts were transparent to Jesus.
Jesus discerned what was on Simon’s mind and rather than directly rebuke and embarrass him, Jesus asked Simon to answer a question. If two debtors were forgiven their debt, and one owed ten times more than the other, then which one would be more grateful? Simon seemed to know where Jesus was going with this and guardedly said that “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled.” Jesus replied in our own vernacular if you please, “Good Simon, you go to the head of the class!” It was then that Jesus also observed that as the master of the feast Simon had not arranged for Jesus’ feet to be washed, no proper welcome was given (a kiss) and Jesus’ head was not anointed, but this woman washed Jesus feet with her tears, kissed his feet and “anointed” Him with precious ointment. Simon had no felt need for anything from Jesus let alone forgiveness, but this woman had been forgiven much.
Then Jesus gave her his undivided attention as he said that her sins are truly forgiven. But the question has been asked, was she just then forgiven or was she already a forgiven woman? Among the ten commentators I read, they were unanimous that she was already a forgiven woman before this audience with Jesus. She had already appropriated Jesus preaching and invitation to come to him and find rest and peace (see Matthew 11;28-30). Therefore, the loving devotion she displayed at the banquet was a lavish expression of gratitude rather than a dramatic plea for mercy. She already was so filled with God’s love and could not hold back her tears of joy. But she needed something more. She needed to hear Jesus publicly say that she was forgiven and accepted by God; her prior sinful life was a thing of the past. She was now a daughter of the Kingdom. She then could live with her not so forgiving neighbors.
I was so touched by this woman’s profound expression of gratitude. Meanwhile our friend Simon was left at the table scratching his head and wondering what the fuss was all about. Some people just don’t get it. Everyone is a miserable sinner in God’s eyes (Romans 3:23), but God’s gift is amazing grace. More of us should weep tears of appreciation rather than think, like Simon, that we are not so bad after all.
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