In The Word
Read: Luke 7:36-8:3
36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume, 38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”
Parable of Two Debtors
40 And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” 41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 Turning toward the woman, He said 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. 45 You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Ministering Women
8 Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, proclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Jesus accepted an invitation into the home of Simon the Pharisee. Luke mentioned the Pharisees twenty-eight times, and, each time, they were hostile toward Jesus. This time would prove to be the same. As they relaxed, a “woman in the city” found her way to the feet of Jesus. Without hesitation, she began to minister to Him. Both Jesus and this woman were in hostile territory; one a teacher of God and the other a worshipper of Jesus.
Simon was moved by what he saw. Not with compassion, but with condemnation. Knowing Simon’s heart, the Teacher spoke. Jesus addressed the heart issue of Simon: grace. Not just grace in his own life, but grace toward the lives of others. The Pharisees believed they had the market on God’s grace, but they did not extend grace toward others. Jesus quickly put Simon and this “woman in the city” on the same level. Both were bankrupt and needed God’s grace. Simon needed true grace for his religious self-righteousness and the woman for her fornication. Jesus took this otherwise hostile environment and transformed it into a classroom.
Jesus revealed the reality that we all stand in need of God’s amazing grace. Romans 3:10 reminds us, “There are none righteous, not even one.” Each day, we stand in need of His grace. For those of us who accept this grace, we are expected to share it. It is our mission to extend God’s grace to everyone we meet. If we withhold it, we become self-righteous; if we extend it, we become disciples. Who are you today? Are you like Simon? Or are you the one at the feet of Jesus, the one giving everything you have to follow Jesus? “Whoever is given much, much will required” (Luke 12:48b).