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Day 23 Luke 7:36-50 Luke 7:36 And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat. 37 And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, 38 And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spoke within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that touches him: for she is a sinner. 40 And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he said, Master, say on. 41 There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? 43 Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. 44 And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, See thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gave me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. 45 Thou gave me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 My head with oil thou did not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. 48 And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. 49 And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgives sins also? 50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. Many people don’t acknowledge they sin or need forgiveness. These same people feel they are above the customary courtesies and give them only to people of their own status. Simon, a Pharisee, invited Jesus to his home for dinner. However, the invitation did not come with common courtesy. Jesus pointed out each of the common courtesies offered people who enter another person’s home, when a woman of questionable character entered Simon’s home. Simon didn’t acknowledge Jesus for whom he was. He invited Jesus as a form of entertainment for himself and his guests, not even considering him to be a prophet, which must have been rumored about, especially when the woman showed up and began ministering to Jesus as a servant would to any guest in a person’s home, with the exception, that she washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, and wiped them with her hair, instead of water and a towel. Jesus showed Simon, he knew what Simon’s thoughts were with the example he gave him, an example Simon would have understood being wealthy. Then Jesus forgave the woman of her sins, and Simon and those with him were surprised he would do so, believing only God could forgive sin. As Christians, you know you are to treat all people the same, as equals. Yet, how often do you entertain your peers in the same position as yourself? James had something to say to those Christians who showed favor on those of higher status. James 2:1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that wears the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Jesus is your example, showing he treated all people the same. He didn’t treat Simon as someone better than the woman who washed his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Nor did he treat the woman as someone beneath his notice. He showed both were equal in his eyes. Both deserved forgiveness, however, only one accepted his forgiveness. As a Christian, have you accepted Jesus’ forgiveness when you do something wrong? Or do you, like Simon, think you are either above forgiveness because you don’t see your sin, or don’t need forgiveness because you believe you are better than people of lower status than yours? Paul showed everyone sins. Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus. When you face the fact you are a sinner, you also see your need for salvation and God’s gift to you, despite your sin. Romans 5:8 But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The woman accepted Jesus’ gift of forgiveness and went from Simon’s home with joy in her heart, while Simon felt indignant by Jesus’ actions. Jesus’ forgiveness is for everyone, no matter what their status. Jesus doesn’t see a person’s status, he sees the person and their need for salvation. Let’s pray: Father, I know I am a sinner in need of forgiveness. I know I sin daily by thought, word, and action. Help me see my sin and not think of myself unworthy of your forgiveness. Help me regard all people the same, and not see myself more highly than I ought. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 14 September 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay