I've always been fascinated by the story of Simon, Jesus, and the unnamed woman. Simon (a man of religious clout) is indignant. Jesus was dining at Simon's house when suddenly a woman barges in, sits at Jesus' feet, and begins washing his feet with her hair and tears. If Jesus was really a prophet, He would not allow this. We can assume she was an outcast, not socially or spiritually clean...presumably a woman involved in the sex industry. She weeps with gratitude for this Jesus - who loves her in a way she's never been loved before. She, maybe for the first time in her life, feels clean, whole, and treasured. This woman has so much forgiven she has a greater capacity to love. "Simon, you think you have so little to be forgiven for, so you love so little. You’ve been a pretty religious guy...brainwashed from your childhood and religious experience to believe that what you do qualifies and entitles you to be close with God. So Simon your capacity is here (Jesus holds his fingers close together) and this woman's is here (Jesus holds his arms wide apart)." (That's my paraphrase).
It demands a question. What’s Jesus telling us to do? Go sin like crazy…and then come back and you will be a changed person? Then you'll be able to love and live at an optimum level? Let me be candid and say this is a really dumb idea. If you've messed up like me you know the baggage for poor decisions is not easily, if ever, let go of. Jesus could mean Simon's problem is that he doesn't understand how sinful of a man he is. He just didn't get it. I think Jesus is giving us an inside look at how lives are changed. Change comes when we personally grasp the power of the cross. It comes when we have a heart that breaks with gratitude. Imagine the change...when we inwardly grasp our need of an audaciously loving Savior.
I want to be Jane Doe. I want to wipe the feet of Jesus with my tears. Forgive me when I let the mess of someone else blind me to my own need of a Savior.
I need more time postured at His feet.
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