June 6, 2001
Reading: Luke 7:36-50
“Simon,
I have something to say to you” (40).
Simon, the Pharisee, had invited Jesus to his home for a meal. While Jesus was there, a woman, designated a sinner – probably a prostitute, approached Him and proceeded to wash His feet with her tears. After wiping His feet with her hair, she anointed them with “fragrant oil”. There are many aspects of this story that are interesting and revealing as regards to the Savior. One the most revealing is how Jesus looked beyond the act and read the heart. This is true both in the Pharisee and the woman.
“Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, …” Then we read, “And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you”. He “spoke to himself, “seeking to hide his critical thoughts from Jesus, but Jesus knew what was in His heart, and addressed it.
One of the challenging aspects of the scripture is how the Holy Spirit uses it to convict, teach, inspire and comfort His people. This thought is one of challenge and, as the scripture frequently says, “he that has ears to hear, let him hear”. In other words, if this is applicable to you at this time, listen and take it to heart!
There are things in most of our lives we would prefer someone else not to know, and we are masters of disguise when it comes to keeping these things secret. But when it comes to God we behave differently! Most of us are very aware that God sees our heart and knows, not only our thoughts, but our intentions also. Logic tells us that we should cease from certain thoughts, etc., that are offensive to God because we are His children and we don’t want to displease Him. We also know that if we continue in something that displeases Him he will chasten us, and usually that is not a very pleasant experience! So why do some of us behave like it doesn’t matter? Are we dumb enough to think God will hide His face from our wrong thoughts and intentions? Do we think we can “sneak” that one by Him and maybe He was looking the other way and did not notice? No, if we were to listen we would probably hear the Lord saying, “Bill, John, Paul, Jane, Mary, Susie, I have something to say to you”!
The woman never opened her mouth
other than to sob at the feet of Jesus and to kiss them. Her actions spoke
louder than any words she might have said. Jesus read her heart and took care
of her need. Her need was for her sins to be forgiven, so He said, “Your sins
are forgiven” (48), and “Your faith has saved you” (50). Although she said nothing
verbally, she exhibited that which leads to salvation, namely, she wept and
bowed at the feet of Jesus. Too much repentance comes without tears and remorse
and is based on emotion only – “’Now therefore’, says the LORD, ‘Turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and
mourning’” (Joel
Not only was the woman repentant with tears but she was on her knees in submission to Jesus. Is this not the attitude Jesus looks for in all that come to Him?
He read the mind of the critic as well as that of the repentant sinner and immediately addressed both situations. He knew the woman’s heart and expressed it for her when He said, “for she loved much”. This will be our thought for next week.