Luke 7:36-8:3 (NRSV)
Read Luke 7:36-8:3 on biblegateway.com
Verse 36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. Verse 37And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. Verse 38She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Verse 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him-that she is a sinner." Verse 40Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "Speak." Verse 41"A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Verse 42When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" Verse 43Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." Verse 44Then 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 bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. Verse 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. Verse 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Verse 47Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." Verse 48Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Verse 49But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Verse 50And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Chapter 8Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, Verse 2as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Verse 3and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
Devotion
The contrast between hospitality and stinginess is vividly illustrated in this passage from Luke. Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus into his house, seemingly extending hospitality and good manners. Simon’s verdict was severe – both on the woman, because she is a sinner, and upon Jesus, because he should have known “what kind of woman” she was. The parable of the two debtors was Jesus’ response.
I can well imagine the reluctance in Simon’s response to Jesus’ question as to who would love the forgiving creditor more. “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” He’s hooked. He’s drawn in. And so Jesus points out that Simon wasn’t hospitable, but the sinner woman was. Simon didn’t give water for Jesus’ feet, but she gave ointment and drying with her hair. Simon gave no kiss of greeting, but she didn’t stop kissing Jesus’ feet.
Why? Because she was forgiven – forgiven a whole lot.
Prayer
Lord God, forgive us for the foolish judgments we make upon people. Forgive us for the resulting actions that hurt others. Help us to learn from the forgiveness of Jesus our Lord. Amen.