Luke 7:36–50 (ESV)
36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. 37 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, 38 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. 39 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.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 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. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Do you remember those 3D posters that were around back in the early 90’s? Sometimes they were called Magic Eye or Stereograms. The images on the posters contained hidden 3D images which could be seen if you focused on the image correctly.
I was thinking about focus as I read this passage because there are three focal points in this passage.
The first is the sinful woman. She isn’t identified by name, but she is identified by her cultural status as a “sinner”. Scholars have often speculated regarding the nature of her sin, but no one really knows what it is, all we have to go on is her actions in this moment and wow does she express herself! There are eight verbs associated with her actions in this passage and if we learn nothing else, we know that this woman is deliberate and intentional in her devotion to Jesus.
The second focal point is Simon who is at the polar opposite of the social scale from the woman. He is a Pharisee and his position as a prominent religious leader guarantees him preeminence in Jewish culture.
As the passage unfolds Simon is quite shocked at the woman’s actions but even more so that Jesus allows this woman to act so shamefully as she anoints and touches Him.
That’s when the focal point shifts to Jesus as he reveals His identity through the grace of forgiveness. Note that Jesus doesn’t gloss over the fact that this woman is a sinner, in fact, Jesus says that she has many sins, but twice Jesus declares that she is forgiven. That would be quite a shock to Simon and his house guests as Jesus claims the ultimate level of authority which God alone possessed, the power and authority to forgive sin.
By extending grace and forgiveness to this woman, Jesus reveals His identity, that He is a prophet, but greater still, the Messiah, the Son of God.
I love the ending of this narrative. I love the ending of this narrative because we’re left hanging. There are two big questions we’re left with at the end of this dinner party. First, how did the community respond to the forgiveness of the sinful woman? Did they welcome her with open arms, or did they just tolerate her?
Second, and in my mind the bigger question; how did Simon respond? Did he change or did he stubbornly cling to his old ways? Did he learn to love more, recognizing the extent of his forgiven debt, or did he hold onto his old habits and behaviors?
Unfortunately, don’t know what happened with Simon and we don’t know how the community responded. We don’t know what happened next.
The same is true of us. What will be next for those of us who have entrusted our lives to Jesus and have the great privilege to carry the Gospel to those around us?
Our narrative is just as wide open and unwritten as theirs. How are we going to respond?
God bless you and know that you are constantly in my prayers.
Scott