The woman was not to be touched by religious people because of the nature and extent of her sin. The religious leader, a Pharisee, made himself untouchable because he refused to allow himself to be touched by the brokenness of other people.
Only one of them was transformed through their encounter with Jesus. Here’s part of the story:
“When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” Luke 7:37-38 (NIV)
The Pharisee saw this and looked down on Jesus and the whole event. We know the Pharisees were the difficult guys in Jesus’ life. Many were power mongers of the religious order in Jesus’ day. They told everybody how to live, but they were notorious for their own hypocrisy. They didn’t like Jesus, yet one of them invited Jesus to his house.
“When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” Luke 7:37-38 (NIV)
The Pharisee saw this and looked down on Jesus and the whole event. We know the Pharisees were the difficult guys in Jesus’ life. Many were power mongers of the religious order in Jesus’ day. They told everybody how to live, but they were notorious for their own hypocrisy. They didn’t like Jesus, yet one of them invited Jesus to his house.
We don’t know much about the woman in this story except that we’re told she lived a immoral life. The Bible never specifies what her sin is, which illustrates the beauty of God’s love for us in my opinion.
Jesus went on to give the Pharisee and the others at the party a fascinating illustration. You can read the rest of that yourself but let me highlight this. Jesus now turns all eyes on the woman as he teaches Simon, the religious leader. (Luke 7:44-48). See the contrast (Luke 7:44-46):
Speaking to the Pharisee who disrespected him, he says:
You gave me no water - She gave me tears.
You gave me no kiss -- She gives me tender affection.
You gave me no oil - She gives me intimate honor.
Notice the difference between the religious leader and the immoral woman: The woman used her opportunity to seek Jesus. Foolishly, the religious man was missing his opportunity to connect with Jesus. Jesus was receiving honor from this woman while the man looked on in disgust, doubt and disdain.
In his rejection of Jesus, and the woman, he refused the relationship with Jesus, but this woman, considered so bad, fully enjoyed and benefited. Jesus went on a little later and told everyone her sins had been forgiven! The woman was no longer, untouchable. The religious man made himself untouchable by refusing to open his mind and heart.
Maybe at times you feel untouchable. I know I do sometimes. When we come to the God of love and receive his acceptance he’s not afraid to touch us with his unconditional love. We are no longer untouchable.
If you are struggling with some kind of guilt or condemnation for something that happened in your past, I can tell you the condemnation is not from above. God is not going to keep reminding you and rubbing your nose in the mistakes of your past.
I’ve made a lot of stupid mistakes in my past but I’m glad everyday is a fresh start!
How about you?
Jesus went on to give the Pharisee and the others at the party a fascinating illustration. You can read the rest of that yourself but let me highlight this. Jesus now turns all eyes on the woman as he teaches Simon, the religious leader. (Luke 7:44-48). See the contrast (Luke 7:44-46):
Speaking to the Pharisee who disrespected him, he says:
You gave me no water - She gave me tears.
You gave me no kiss -- She gives me tender affection.
You gave me no oil - She gives me intimate honor.
Notice the difference between the religious leader and the immoral woman: The woman used her opportunity to seek Jesus. Foolishly, the religious man was missing his opportunity to connect with Jesus. Jesus was receiving honor from this woman while the man looked on in disgust, doubt and disdain.
In his rejection of Jesus, and the woman, he refused the relationship with Jesus, but this woman, considered so bad, fully enjoyed and benefited. Jesus went on a little later and told everyone her sins had been forgiven! The woman was no longer, untouchable. The religious man made himself untouchable by refusing to open his mind and heart.
Maybe at times you feel untouchable. I know I do sometimes. When we come to the God of love and receive his acceptance he’s not afraid to touch us with his unconditional love. We are no longer untouchable.
If you are struggling with some kind of guilt or condemnation for something that happened in your past, I can tell you the condemnation is not from above. God is not going to keep reminding you and rubbing your nose in the mistakes of your past.
I’ve made a lot of stupid mistakes in my past but I’m glad everyday is a fresh start!
How about you?
3 comments:
often the most impoverished are able to see the light while those of elevated status are blinded by complacency and status quo. this era
Probably one of my top three stories in the Bible Phil...love it.
I never looked at her sins not being mentioned as a deliberate omission by Jesus. I always figured...they're not mentioned.."NBD"...and I'd read on...(far be it for me to research further!) :/
But I think you're right...I think this was deliberate and very loving of Him, which is your point. He loves us...does not condemn us...just go to Him. And like the woman, He'll keep your (my) sins, to Himself. Or I should say..."on, Himself".
Thanks Phil....
Beautiful, thank you, Phil. We all need reminders that every oneis a child of God...all capable of fresh starts, including the woman with the alabaster jar...and the Pharisee, and those of us who fold our arms and think we might judge either of them or ourselves harshly. Thanks again, peace and all good,
Diane
Post a Comment