“One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘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.’ And Jesus answering said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ And he answered, ‘Say it, Teacher.’
“’A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.’ And he said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then 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. 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 is forgiven little, loves little.’ And he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’” Luke 7:36-48
From the eyes of the legalistic Pharisee, this woman was of the sinning sort: unclean, flawed, unworthy to touch Jesus. Simon critically measured people by the standard of his man-made rules. But from Jesus’s perspective, she was humble, bold, selfless, and generous, touched by His love and mercy. The woman’s actions displayed an eagerness to be near and honor Jesus no matter the cost or criticism. Man’s eyes, informed by his view of the world, see one sort, when divine eyes see the heart.
What sort am I? Do I measure behavior by persnickety standards set by preference and prejudice? Am I the sort who castigates another’s appearance with an air of superiority, or behavior with malice, while making excuses for personal language and choices that dishonor my Lord and others? Am I the sort who condemns others sins while justifying my own?
Jesus’s love and forgiveness shaped a sinful woman into a grateful, lavish worshiper. His insight and patience with Simon turned his wrong judgment into a right one by presenting a parable. What callousness or arrogance do I need the Lord to change in me? Will I ask Him to replace shame with thankfulness, a critical spirit with mercy and kindness that reflect His character?
Lord, make me the sort of person who sees with pure and grateful eyes, and spreads love and light to others, to Your honor.
As the rain and snow 