October 19
Scripture focus: One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee's house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him." Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Oh? Tell me." "Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?" Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most." "That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal." Then he spoke to her: "I forgive your sins." That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: "Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!" He ignored them and said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." Luke 7:36-50 The Message
Simon’s personal pride wasn’t founded on merely wishful thinking. As a Pharisee, he was a man of prestige and influence in his community. He was a big shot. He believed in following the laws, working hard, and achieving much. Simon was a religious man. Simon believed that is was very important that all men work to win the approval of God. And this belief worked for him, i.e. he was successful. His work paid off. In Soul Repair, the authors suggest an explanation and offer a warning about Simon’s belief system:
“The belief that we must work for God’s approval immediately creates two problems. First, as soon as we begin to work for God’s approval, we begin to judge others. We work hard to get grace, and so we feel justified in condemning anyone not working as hard as we are working. Second, working to earn God’s grace usually means that we have to hide many unpleasant things about ourselves in order to measure up to expectations.”
I’m not suggesting that we stop working hard. In fact, I consider it a blessing to have the opportunity to work hard. The point is not about the degree of difficulty, but more about the motivation of the heart.
Simon subscribed to the belief that we must work hard to earn our spot before the throne of grace. The authors of Soul Repair look to the harlot to uncover an expanded vision for what it means to love and be loved by God.
More on her story tomorrow.
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