.

Remember yesterday that Jesus was very harsh in his rebuke of the Pharisees, having “rejected the purpose of God for themselves.” He compared them to bratty little children.Nevertheless, when one of them invited Jesus to eat at his house, Jesus went with him. His name was Simon, and he doesn’t appear to be sympathetic to Jesus.  Could this Pharisee’s “ulterior motive” have been to entrap Jesus in some way?Jesus took His place reclining at the table, and the food and drink were served. Simon watched Jesus.  Jesus watched Simon. Then a very unusual thing happened.

.

Vss. 37-38.

A “woman of the city,” (a nice way to say a prostitute), came into Simon’s house.  (Had she been there before under “other “circumstances?)  It’s weird that the servants would just let her into this prominent man’s home.

But in she came and headed right for Jesus – his feet, to be exact. She’d brought an alabaster flask of ointment.

(NOTE: This is not the same woman as in Mark 14:3-9.  In THAT case, the woman was Mary, sister of Martha; it was in Bethany, and during Passion Week. THAT Simon was an ex-leper, not a Pharisee.)

Standing, then kneeling behind Jesus, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. She kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment.  (We will see that Jesus’ feet were still dusty from the road because Simon had not even had a servant wash them when he came in.)

.

Vss. 39-43.

Simon’s thoughts about this woman and Jesus might have been evident by the look of disdain and disgust on his face.

“If this man were a prophet,

He would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching Him,

for she is a sinner.”

Jesus KNEW his thoughts and said to Simon, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

Simon: “Say it, Teacher.”

Jesus tells him a little story: “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii and the other owed 50. When they could not pay, he canceled both debts.  Now, which of them will love him more?”

Simon: “The one, I suppose, for whom he canceled the larger debt.”

Jesus: “You judged rightly.”

.

Vss. 44-50.

Jesus turned to look at the woman while continuing to speak to Simon: “Do you see this woman?

• I entered your house; YOU gave me no water for my feet, but SHE has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
• YOU gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in, SHE has not ceased to kiss my feet.
• YOU did not anoint my head with oil, but SHE has anointed my feet with ointment.
• Therefore, I tell you, HER sins, which are many, are forgiven for she loved much. But HE who was forgiven little (YOU, Simon) loves little.”

Then Jesus turned to the woman and told her quietly, “YOUR sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

“Who is this that says He can forgive sins?” grumbled the other guests at Simon’s table.

.

WHO indeed?  And HOW?

Because Jesus is God. 

Because, although His death on the cross had not yet happened in “time,” it had been ordained from eternity past. Jesus carried this woman’s many sins on Him at the cross, just as he’s carried yours and mine, if our hearts have repented of sin and we trust in Him for redemption.

**** Think on this today, on “Good Friday” and “Passover,” and look to Jesus, the Lamb of God, with his blood given for us. Remember also His glorious resurrection, which shows for all time that God accepted HIS death in payment in full for OUR sin debt.