Monday 03 August 2015
- Bible Book:
- Luke
“Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’” (vv. 48-49)
Psalm: Psalm 57
Background
What an amazing woman this is! She gatecrashes a party of thegreat and the good, and washes the feet of the guest of honour ashe reclines at the table. It takes some courage to do that.
The poor host, Simon, is beside himself. He is offering the verybest of Jewish hospitality to a visiting rabbi when suddenly awoman sidles into the room and makes herself the centre ofattention. Not only that, Jesus welcomes her! Simon now begins towonder if he has made an error of judgement about Jesus, "If thisman were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of awoman this is who is touching him - that she is a sinner."(v.39)
The point is, Jesus did know that she was a sinner, but moreimportantly, so did the woman! She came to make up for her sins bywashing Jesus' feet with her tears. Jesus' response to this is towelcome her and forgive her. Released by love the woman is able togive love and her heart is at peace.
Meanwhile, Simon is furious because Jesus dared to compare himwith this woman and found her to be the better host. It had notcrossed Simon's mind that he was a sinner too. His sins are what hehas not done, but that does not make him less of a sinner than thewoman and his heart in in turmoil as the party ends.
To Ponder
- What have you not done that you need to ask forgivenessfor?
- Reread the story as if you are the woman. What do younotice?