“One of the Pharisees asked [Jesus] to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.’ And Jesus answering said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ And he answered, ‘Say it, Teacher.’
“‘A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.’ And he said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then 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. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’ And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this, who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace’” [LUKE 7:36-50].
Parties in the news usually means the celebration got out of hand. One news account reads, “Teenage revelers trashed a Spanish mansion worth $8.6 million—after the student host posted an open invite on the online social networking site Facebook. Over 400 teens crashed Jodie Hudson's 16th birthday bash in Marbella, Spain, then stole $11,800 worth of jewelry, swiped designer clothes and threw a TV in the pool. Police had to be called to put an end to the wild party, but they did not arrive in time to stop the drunk teenagers wrecking the seven-bedroom luxury home.” [2] Another account informs, “A Bronx birthday celebration which ended in a teenager's death erupted into chaos when more than 300 uninvited people crashed the party, police sources said Saturday. Word of the Sweet 16 bash at Maestro's Caterers on Bronxdale Ave. in Van Nest made its way onto social media sites, prompting scores of teens not on the guest list to show up… The party crashers sparked a fight with invited guests outside … according to authorities. During the brawl, [an] uninvited guest jumped into a black Honda and opened fire into the crowd as he drove off. One of the bullets hit 16-year-old Sincear (Sin) Williams in the neck… Medics rushed him to Jacobi Medical Center, where he died.” [3]
Today, party crashers almost always guarantee trouble. That may sound as if I’m painting with a broad brush, but crashing a party can be problematic. Throughout the Gospels, we note that Jesus was frequently the honoured guest at dinner parties. Unlike this present day, dinner parties in that ancient day seem to have actively encouraged uninvited guests to attend. These uninvited guests were not participants; rather, they were expected to be observers. They would come merely to watch the invited guests dine. I suppose it was a way for the host to inflate his stature in the eyes of those observing. Thus, the lustre of Jesus’ presence would rub off on the host and all those observing His presence would think more highly of the host.
However, one dinner party Jesus attended didn’t go exactly as expected. In a shocking twist, one of the observers became a participant in the party. This wasn’t expected, and the fact that she was central to what would take place was even more surprising. Because the woman was well-known to the populace of the town, her presence threatened to be a dark blot on Jesus’ reputation. You see, she was a sinner. A sinner! To be classified as a “sinner” could only mean that she was recognised for some grave character flaw. Her sin was more than a mere faux pas. Her life was flawed, marred by choices she had made, choices that even some at the party may have taken advantage of. You mentioned her name at the risk of sullying your own reputation.
Much like the situation prevailing in this day, once a reputation is fixed, there is no opportunity to recover, at least in the eyes of those who know the person. This knowledge is essential for youth, in particular. Let me say quite plainly—there is no such thing as casual sex! If you play fast and loose with sexual purity, your reputation will assume a decidedly negative hue and you will be viewed with a jaundiced eye by your peers. You will be seen as someone to be used in a degraded fashion for the perverted pleasures of others; but you won’t be thought of as a person of worth, you won’t be seen as a person of character.
If honesty does not characterise your life, you will be distrusted by most people even when you are trying to do what is right. Your motives will be questioned, and you will be continually second-guessed by those you know. Party animals will seldom be trusted with responsibility over the affairs of others. If you drink to excess, if you attempt to lose yourself in drugs, if you spend your goods in a futile attempt to follow the latest fad, you will not be respected. What you are in private does have a grave impact on public life. Character counts.
A PARTY FOR JESUS — “One of the Pharisees asked [Jesus] to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table” [LUKE 7:36]. Much as is true in this day, people were eager to invite Jesus to dinner. They imagined that His presence would enhance their stature in the eyes of everyday people. People constantly thought they could use Jesus for their own ends. We shouldn’t imagine that just because people wanted to be around Jesus they were necessarily prepared to embrace Him as Master over life, just as the eagerness to bask in the reflection of His glorious presence means that people today are eager to follow Him in daily life.
I suppose I could make much of the need for Christians to give a party for Jesus, especially to those who now hear me. It is not uncommon to hear preachers urge parishioners to do so during the Christmas season. We remember that Christmas is meant to celebrate the fact that the Saviour did take on human flesh. During the Christmas season, we who follow the Master should ensure that He is central to our thoughts and to what we do during that time. However, we have no command to throw a party in Jesus’ honour. Consequently, during that festive time, many appear to forget the One whose birth is supposedly celebrated. We appear to invite Jesus, and then forget that we invited Him. More than the absence of a command to throw a party, we are to ensure that Jesus is always the honoured guest at our meals and in our homes.
I don’t want to be a negative Nancy about honouring Jesus with a party. Just as there is no command to honour Him in that fashion, neither is there a prohibition against seeking to honour Him in that manner. Perhaps we need to review how we are to honour the Lord according to the Master’s own words. What information is provided concerning how we are to honour the Saviour?
Let’s begin our study by considering something the Master in His Sermon on the Mount. Jesus anticipates that His followers will live in such a way that their lives are recognised as godly. He taught those who follow Him, “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven” [MATTHEW 5:14-16 NET BIBLE].
Honouring the Son of God honours the Father. Perhaps you will recall Jesus’ teaching, “As the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” [JOHN 5:21-24].
Honouring the Son of God is emphasised when Peter writes, “Rid yourselves of all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow up into your salvation, if you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:
‘See, I lay a stone in Zion,
a chosen and honored cornerstone,
and the one who believes in him
will never be put to shame.’
So honor will come to you who believe; but for the unbelieving,
‘The stone that the builders rejected—
this one has become the cornerstone’”
[1 PETER 2:4-7 CSB]
The Apostle Paul cautions that failure to recognise God as sovereign dishonours Him. This is the way in which the Apostle framed this particular information in the opening words of the Letter to Roman Christians. “The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things” [ROMANS 1:18-23].
No one should be surprised that Christ is to be honoured through how we live. Neither should anyone find it surprising that the Father calls us to honour the Son. Throughout eternity, we who are redeemed will honour the Father and we will honour the Son. Recall the scene in Heaven which John describes.
“Around the throne [of God], on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!’
“And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.’”
[REVELATION 4:6-11]
We will honour the Living God, proclaiming His honour. And just as we will honour the Lord God, so we will honour the Son of God throughout eternity. Here is the scene John describes as He witnesses the Son receive, as it were, the title deed of all creation. “[The Lamb] went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,
‘Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.’
“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice,
‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!’
“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying,
‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’
“And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ and the elders fell down and worshiped” [REVELATION 5:6-14].
Let’s remember how this excursus into examining how we should honour the Son of God began. I was cautioning against attempting to throw a party for Jesus once a year, or even throwing a party occasionally, and yet failing to honour Him. True honour of the Son of God is to be ongoing, constant, an integral part of our life as His redeemed people. Through this brief review of what it means to honour Him, it should be obvious that we honour Him when we live as redeemed people, when we glorify His Name through exalting Him, and when we recognise Him as the Saviour of mankind. We are to honour the Son by living as those who are transformed by His mercy and who reveal the Spirit of Christ living within our lives.
A DISGRACEFUL DISPLAY OF DEVOTION — “A woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that [Jesus] was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment [LUKE 7:37-38].
She wasn’t invited. In fact, had anyone known she would show up, they would have attempted to debar her from entering the house. Her presence would embarrass good people. Perhaps some of those present were fearful that she would indicate that she knew who they were. Perhaps they actually knew her because they had spent time with her in what can only be admitted as less than honourable pursuits. Thus, most of the guests averted their eyes, pretending they didn’t see her. They might glare at her if they saw her in the street, even rudely speaking of her lack of worth; but in a party when Jesus was present? That would never do!
I suppose that those present became aware of her tears. No doubt her distress generated some speculation as the dinner guests questioned what that could mean. However, it was what happened after a while of silent weeping that shocked those present. No one spoke about what happened, but everyone knew. You could tell by the arched eyebrows, the downward curve of disapproving lips, the snarling upper lip on others—people were disgusted.
As she silently wept, tears dropped from her eyes, poured down her cheeks and splattered on the feet of the Master. People didn’t sit at tables in that day; they reclined on couches. The couches were angled so that as a diner rested his head on his left hand, the right hand would be free to reach for the food placed on the table. The diner’s feet would point outward at an angle. This woman had situated herself so that she was standing immediately behind Jesus’ feet.
When she became aware that her tears were wetting Jesus’ feet, she was embarrassed. Kneeling down, she loosed her hair, which was braided up in the custom of that day. Women didn’t loose their hair except in specific circumstances. A wife would loose her hair in her own home and in front of her husband, then put it up again in the morning before going about her responsibilities. Her hair could be loosed when she wished to show grief at some situation. Otherwise, loosing the hair of a woman was a shocking act, especially when done in public!
When her hair was loosed, she began to wipe her tears from his feet with her hair! She had no cloth with which she could dry His feet. She couldn’t lift her dress, exposing her legs; that would definitely be a major blunder. She had nothing, except her hair. What dignity she had left was jettisoned so that she might correct the terrible faux pas that arose from tears dropping on the feet of the Prophet from Capernaum. When her hair had fallen around her shoulders, she wiped the feet of the Master.
Letting her hair down and wiping the feet of Jesus was disgraceful in the eyes of those at the dinner party. What she did was shameful, but she compounded what she did when she produced an alabaster flask of ointment. She broke the seal and poured the contents on Jesus’ feet! She actually anointed His feet with ointment. The delicate aroma wafted throughout the room—everyone present could smell the rich scent. It was impossible to deny what they had just witnessed. This woman had violated so many social conventions that there was no other response than shock. I have no doubt that the faces of those present, both the invited guests and those who had invited themselves, registered the indignation, the revulsion that her actions merited. They were filled with loathing for the woman.
However, the actions of this woman—actions that transgressed social norms—had an impact on the way some who were present that day viewed the Master. One person, at least, was watching the Master’s reaction to what was taking place with a jaundiced eye. Readers would not be out of line to conclude that this man had perhaps been thinking that Jesus’ fame would rub off on himself. He seems to have thought that he could advance his own cause through appropriating the Master’s fame to himself. However, this man to have been reassessing what he had previously thought. He appears to have decided that Jesus was not the person he had thought Him to be. He began to reassess his opinion of the Master. The text informs us, “When the Pharisee who had invited him saw [what this woman did], he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner’” [LUKE 7:36].
Among the questions that arise in my mind as I read this pericope are two that should be discussed. How did this Pharisee know the woman was a “sinner?” What had he hoped to gain by an association with Jesus—an association that required no commitment on his own part? Let’s consider these questions in their order. They are significant for gaining perspective on what was taking place and for informing us how these events apply to our own lives.
I will look at the latter question first. I asked, “What had the Pharisee hoped to gain by an association with Jesus?” I ask the question in light of the fact that his actions in no way demonstrate that this Pharisee was making any commitment to the Master. He had neglected the courtesies that were commonly expected to be shown toward a guest in that day. He appears to have been seeking to boost his stature in the eyes of those living about him. Jesus would be wined and dined, then He would go on His way and the Pharisee would return to his self-exalted manner of life, hoping to have an even greater stature in the eyes of those within the community. Why would this man fête Jesus?
It seems apparent that his motive was been entirely self-serving. How does this relate to us today? I fear that many who attend church services, many who claim the Name of the Saviour, do so out of anticipation of a sort of social benefit. Many who attend services, and even claim membership among the churches of our Lord want just enough religion to be able to say they are Christian without making any commitment to inviting the Spirit of Christ to transform their lives. For many, that occasional attendance is confined to a few days per year, most notably Christmas and Easter. Tragically, worship is not a priority for the most of professed Christians!
Many who seek a loose affiliation with the congregation of the Lord are quite willing to attend a service occasionally, so long as it doesn’t demand anything of them or inconvenience them. In the estimate of many of these individuals, having their name recorded on church rolls is essential, though the concept of commitment seems to be absent from their vocabulary. I don’t mean that individuals such as those I’ve just described, never give to the advance of the church. Many are willing to toss in a few coins whenever the offering basket is passed. Some, perhaps, can even be quite generous, but there is no heart in their participation in the services.
Some years past, within the membership of an assembly of a former congregation I pastored, a man who claimed membership in the church. He was actually quite constant in attendance, seldom missing any service. In retrospect, it was likely that he was fearful that something might occur that would displace him from his position of power. This man made quite a show about his generosity, but there were always strings attached to his giving. He sought control over what he gave, rather than hearing the voice of the Master.
You will no doubt recall that the Master cautioned those who wished to follow Him, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
“Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” [MATTHEW 6:1-4].
This particular man became angered by the pastor; he wasn’t receiving the authority he believed was his due. He wasn’t recognised as he thought he should have been. Thus, he declared he would be leaving the church. He’d just take with him “all the things” he had donated, including the hand dryer in the bathroom! My, how we did miss that noisy hand dryer! This was hardly the Spirit of Christ. It was the “spirit of self” exalting itself in that man’s life.
Again, some of these souls will attend services, if no other option is available. They can be quite ingenious in finding reasons why they just can’t faithfully attend the services of their congregation. It’s too hot, and the building isn’t air conditioned. The heat is just too much to take; but they manage to go out on a picnic whenever they wish. It’s really cold out, and their rheumatism acts up in the cold weather; but they aren’t hindered when going to a hockey game. A long-lost cousin unexpectedly showed up Saturday night and they couldn’t leave her at home alone. They hadn’t seen her in years, but she wouldn’t want to come to church with them. They are just exhausted. It was a gruelling week and they took the kids to a ball game Saturday evening. The preacher is long-winded, and they just can’t sit that long. The preacher preaches such short sermons that there is no content. There is always an excuse why they can’t come.
Years ago, the Kingsmen sang a song entitled, “Excuses!” That particular song struck a chord with our children as it repeated excuses that they had frequently heard throughout their years in the home of a Baptist Pastor. Listen to the words and see if they strike a chord with you.
In the summer it's too hot. And, in the winter, it's too cold.
In the springtime when the weather's just right, you find some place else to go.
Well, it's up to the mountains or down to the beach or to visit some old friend.
Or, to just stay home and kinda’ relax
and hope that some of the kin folks will start dropping in.
Well, the church benches are too hard. And, that choir sings way too loud.
Boy, you know how nervous you get when you're sitting in a great big crowd.
The doctor told you, “Now, you better watch them crowds. They'll set you back.”
But, you go to that old ball game because you say, “it helps you to relax.”
Well, a headache Sunday morning and a backache Sunday night.
But by worktime Monday morning, you're feeling quite alright.
While one of the children has a cold, “Pneumonia, do you suppose?”
Why the whole family had to stay home, just to blow that poor kid's nose.
Well, the preacher he's too young. And, maybe he's too old.
The sermons they're not hard enough. And, maybe they're too bold.
His voice is much too quiet-like. Sometimes he gets too loud.
He needs to have more dignity. Or, else he's way too proud.
Well, the sermons they're too long. And, maybe they're too short.
He ought to preach the word with dignity instead of “stomp and snort.”
Well, that preacher we've got must be “the world's most stuck up man.”
Well, one of the lady's told me the other day,
“Well, he didn't even shake my hand.”
Excuses, excuses, you'll hear them every day.
And the Devil he'll supply them if from church you stay away.
When people come to know the Lord, the Devil always loses
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses.
So to keep them folks away from church, he offers them excuses. [4]
How did Simon know this woman was a sinner? Unless a person is known to me, I would be hard-pressed to suggest their relationship to God. A related question that should be asked is, “What had this Pharisee done to deliver the woman from her supposedly dishonourable life?” Was this Pharisee basing his assessment of the woman’s character on gossip? It is easy enough to repeat gossip when we are angry toward the individual toward whom the gossip is directed. It is easier still for us to repeat gossip concerning people about whom we know little or nothing. Actual knowledge of the character of another person is usually less readily available.
None of us are able to accurately assess the motive for a given action. We can’t possibly know all the factors that drive a person to a particular action. We are usually confused about our own motives! Few of us are privy to background or major events that shape people—we hardly know the impact of the events of our own lives! Tragically, people, and that includes Christians, seem to delight in repeating gossip. This is especially true if the gossip is salacious or scandalous. We seem to delight in taking people down a notch, even when we profess friendship with them. We seem always ready to plunge into the task of humbling others.
I’ve been on the receiving end of gossip even in this community—and the gossip was often spewed out by professing Christians. I often tell people that the mention of my name in public means that the one speaking must be prepared to duck or pucker, one way or another that speaker is about to get it in the kisser! I acknowledge that I generate strong reaction through the mere mention of my name.
I’ve learned that the Psalmist had the address for many professed saints when he wrote,
“It is not an enemy who taunts me—
then I could bear it;
it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me—
then I could hide from him.
But it is you, a man, my equal,
my companion, my familiar friend.
We used to take sweet counsel together;
within God’s house we walked in the throng.”
[PSALM 55:12-14]
WORTH THE CENSURE — “When the Pharisee who had invited [Jesus] saw [what this woman was doing], he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.’ And Jesus answering said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ And he answered, ‘Say it, Teacher.’
“‘A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.’ And he said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then 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. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.’ And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this, who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace’” [LUKE 7:36-50].
When this woman situated herself behind Jesus, I must imagine that she didn’t know what she was about to do. Standing behind Jesus, something inside made this woman aware of His purity; and as she became aware of His holy character, she was painfully aware of her own broken condition. She had no doubt heard the snide remarks of women who called her a loser, a worthless piece of trash, a waste of skin. Perhaps it was her realisation of the loss of potential from childhood days, or perhaps it was a sense of overwhelming sorrow at the knowledge that she would never be accepted by others, or perhaps it was the thought that she was used but unloved—something opened the floodgate, and the tears began to fall.
Her head bowed, standing immediately behind Jesus in the crowded room, His feet extending outward as His head was toward the table, the tears that flowed dropped onto His feet. Suddenly, she became aware of what was happening. Embarrassed, and no doubt flustered, she bent down, loosed her hair and began to wipe His feet. Her action was spontaneous, without forethought. Had we asked her, she likely would have admitted, “I didn’t think!”
I imagine that Jesus had a wry smile as He received this unanticipated gift, for her action was a gift. No one in the room, except for Jesus, could have recognised that she had just given Him a gift, but it was a gift, nevertheless. Others observed what was happening, and one person in particular took note of what this woman did. And he was not impressed because he had already categorised her, as he likely had categorised every other person he met.
Whenever we read that Jesus said to someone, “I have something to say to you,” we just know it was not going to go as the one addressed might imagine. The Pharisee in the text appears to have thought that he was “all that and a bag of chips.” He imagined that he was in control of the situation at all times; his world revolved around him and what he decided. At least, he thought he was in control. However, this man had no idea what was about to be said. Smug in his assumption that Jesus could not know what he was thinking, if the Pharisee thought at all, he was startled when Jesus, rather than opening a conversation, began to tell a parable.
It was a rather simple story, so simple that no one could miss the point of what Jesus said. A moneylender forgave the debt of two men, one of whom owed what represented almost two years of wages and the other of whom owed a debt representing about two months of wages. Jesus asked Simon, the host, “Which of [these two men] will love [the moneylender] more?” The question was easy enough, and Simon nailed the answer, though there was a note of hesitancy. “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.”
Jesus affirmed Simon’s response, and then directed attention to the woman who was even then wiping her tears that had wetted His feet. Listen to the pointed application of the parable. “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. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little” [LUKE 7:44b-47].
Jesus counted this woman’s tears as a gift. There is a message in that one truth, but we don’t have time right now to focus on that. Additionally, when she humbled herself to loose her hair and wipe the Master’s feet, it was a further gift. This woman had humbled herself in the presence of God. Her heart was filled with the knowledge of her sinful condition, the indiscretions of the past that plagued her, and she grieved over her brokenness. This was an acknowledgement of the purity in Whose presence she stood. Therefore, the Master said to her, “Your sins are forgiven” [LUKE 7:48b].
Well, that statement got a response from those reclining at the table. Isn’t it amazing how people who ignore much of the conversation are able to hear what is said if it offends their sensibilities? Immediately, after Jesus pronounced forgiveness of sin for this woman, those reclining at the table began to murmur. The one question we know was bruited about was “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” It wasn’t a question voiced in awe; the words being whispered revealed their incredulity. “Did you hear that? Can you believe it? What sort of fraud is this?”
We can be certain that most, if not all, of those who were reclining at the table that day were Pharisees—they belonged to Simon’s circle of friends. Later, Jesus would be invited to another feast hosted by a Pharisee. What happened at that feast gives us some insight into the practise of the day and what Jesus expected.
After healing a man who was present that day, Jesus told a parable intended for those who were invited. He took notice that they chose the places of honour, so He addressed them. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Jesus wasn’t finished, because He then addressed the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just” [LUKE 14:7-14].
We are provided a glimpse into the thinking of those who gave feasts in that day, an attitude that is not unlike what we witness in this day. The common practise was to invite your friends. You might tolerate the hoi polloi watching from the sidelines, but they would never be invited to share your hospitality.
Think about it! When did you last invite a homeless person to share a meal in your home? When did you last have someone known to be unable to repay you into your home to show them courtesy? When did you last invite a stranger to enjoy refreshment in your home? I understand, they probably smell bad; remember, they don’t have access to toilets. They may be just a little strange, talking about really outlandish matters; but aren’t they created in the image of God? Isn’t it worthwhile to take time to speak with them about Christ? Their dress is whatever they were able to find at the thrift store or from the Salvation Army; they aren’t like to represent the height of haute couture. Perhaps we would be well advised to see with the eyes of Jesus, serving the least of those among us, inviting them to share God’s goodness.
Simon had neglected to offer the courtesies that would commonly be expected in that day. He failed to offer a means to refresh his guest. He failed to greet Jesus beyond a casual acknowledgement. His failure demonstrated what! Arrogance? Superiority? Self-exaltation? Or was it mere neglect? A social faux pas? In the final analysis, it doesn’t matter why Simon failed to extend the courtesies that would normally be provided to a guest. A party crasher would provide the courtesies that Simon ignored.
Contrasted with Simon’s discourteous neglect, the Master received the woman’s actions as courtesies withheld by the host of the party. She had humbled herself and kissed the Master’s feet. She washed His feet with her tears and wiped them dry with her hair. She had not brought anything with which she could anoint His head, but she anointed His feet with an ointment she brought. The courtesies which Simon had neglected were provided by this party crasher. What is essential for us to recognise is that Jesus understood that this woman was acting out of love. Love will induce us to humble ourselves in order to serve that one we love. We can measure the love we have for the Master by how we serve Him—even when there is nothing in it for us.
How shall we apply the message we have just received? Perhaps we should challenge each one hearing the message to assess how much they love the Lord who redeemed them. The evidence of our love is revealed through our service to the Master. What are you doing to advance His Kingdom? Are you bringing lost family members to share the services of the church? Are you ministering to those who are unable to repay you, doing this in Jesus’ Name? Perhaps you are participating in the ministries of the church? Or perhaps you are even starting a ministry that is not currently provided within the assembly? Love for the Master is revealed through service to His people and through service in His Name.
The message to those who know the Lord is simply to love Him. Don’t allow yourself to be content to talk about how much you love the Saviour—reveal your love through serving Him. This is what Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” [JOHN 14:15]. Again, the Master said, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” [JOHN 14:21]. If we love the Lord, we will serve Him; it is that simple. Amen.
[1] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[2] Fox News, May 30, 2008, http://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/05/30/400-party-crashers-trash-rob-mansion-after-host-open-invite-on-facebook.html, accessed 14 June 2018
[3] Thomas Tracy, “Bronx teen shot dead at Sweet 16 bash when more than 300 party crashers sparked clash,” Dec 30, 2017, http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/bronx/teen-killed-sweet-16-300-party-crashers-sparked-clash-article-1.3728089, accessed 14 June 2018
[4] Jim Kimberley & William Topley, “Excuses,” ©Universal Publishing Group, Data from https://lyrics.fandom.com/wiki/The_Kingsmen:Excuses, accessed 21 July 2019
