(1 Timothy 4:12-16; Psalms 111:7-8, 9, 10; Luke 7:36-50)
We don’t have to look far to see God’s children suffering from various torments. We experience anxiety, depression, anger, resentment, fear and on the list goes. This suffering isn’t anything new – mankind has been suffering since the fall of Adam and Eve. An evil thief entered into the world and he desires nothing more than to kill, destroy and steal from God’s children the rich inheritance offered us by our Father and one true King. However, total freedom from such torment is available and today’s scripture gives us a glimpse.
True freedom is born out of forgiveness and real forgiveness is found in Christ alone. The sinful woman in today’s Gospel knew what she wanted and nothing was going to keep her from getting it! She wanted the healing balm of Jesus Christ because she knew he had the power to free her of the pain of her sins. She was bold, she was full of conviction, she was single-minded and nothing was going to stop her from surrendering all of who she was at the beautiful feet of our Lord.
This brave woman beat all odds. We are told she heard of Jesus’ invitation to dine with the Pharisee. Given this, we know she was listening, she was paying attention about whereabouts of Jesus. I wonder how many other people knew Jesus was dining there, yet they did not show up to catch a glimpse of him, let alone throw themselves at his feet! How many times do we desire respite yet we fail to listen for the voice of Jesus and show up to meet him?
Once knowing the whereabouts of our Lord this woman entered the house of the Pharisee, which I assume was no easy task in and of itself. Seeing Jesus reclining at the table she froze, she stood behind him weeping. We can only imagine the internal pain she experienced as she stood behind our savior in such a state of brokenness. The weight of her sins we coming out in the form of buckets of tears, tears that rolled down with such intensity and measure that they covered his feet.
She then proceeds to wipe his feet with her hair. No woman of respectable stature would ever allow herself to be disgraced in such a state as to allow her hair to be undone, let alone touch a man’s feet. This was a true act of humility. (Even Paul shared interesting words to the Corinthians about women covering their head while prophesying..) Then there is the flask of ointment she brought with her. I wonder what she brought the ointment for? I assume it was a gift for Jesus and I can only guess that she had no idea she would present it to him in this manner.
Next, Simon, the Pharisee (oh those Pharisees…), obviously disgusted as he observed this woman’s behavior and her unruly appearance, was quick to pass judgement on Jesus and the woman. How could he do anything different, he did not know God’s mercy, what he knew was law and moral obligation. Additionally, it was law and moral obligation that kept him in his place of power and authority in the community. Jesus, whose real identity was unknown to him, is the new Moses presenting a law of love for our brother with the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whereas Moses had given the Jewish people God’s law, the 10 Commandments, which held the promise of earthy land because that was their greatest need at the time. This was a beautiful gift of course; however, God’s giving never ceases. Jesus now is the fulfillment of the old law. This sinful woman, brought to the depths of pain that sin causes, was looking outside the old law for respite and she knew Jesus was the answer.
Jesus, knowing the heart of the Pharisee, shared with him a story in an attempt to perhaps enlighten him as to the real power of love; however, the message seems to have been lost on Simon. Simon’s response to Jesus’ teaching was to question his authority to forgive sins. How sad, here Simon had in his very own home the author of forgiveness, and all he could do was question his ability to forgive sins.
The sinful woman on the other hand, experienced true forgiveness and the freedom that follows because of her faith. Let us pray together that all mankind finds the faith, the courage, the fortitude, the perseverance, the boldness, the conviction and single-mindedness that this sinful woman held so that we can seek Jesus and receive the healing balm of forgiveness that only he can offer.
Jesus – I love you!!!
