Luke 7:44-47 Then he turned towards the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." (NIV)
Eastern hospitality demanded the courtesy of making guests feel welcome and comfortable. After a hot and dusty walk, cool water would have refreshed the feet and, after washing face and hands, a little oil would have refreshed the visitor's head. However, although Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his home, he did not go out of his way to welcome the Saviour. Good manners vanished as the religious expert tried to find out what made Jesus 'tick'.
By contrast, the weeping woman loved Jesus because she believed that He could turn her life around, and deal with her sinful past. The difference between her behaviour and Simon's demonstrated that the religious man had no desire to honour Jesus, but the prostitute did. Her loving actions were a spontaneous expression of her faith in Jesus, and the Saviour responded by forgiving her sins. On the other hand Simon was not aware that he needed any forgiveness: his self-righteousness not only blinded him to the reality of his sin, but also to the true identity of his guest.
The same reactions occur today. Those who refuse to recognise and confess their sin have no time for Jesus. But those who know the burden of guilt and want to be released from its grip will find hope in Him. Paradoxically it is the really weak people who can more easily honour Jesus once they realise that He has the power to forgive. On the other hand, religious self-righteousness resents the Saviour; because to welcome Him is to admit that one's religion has not made them perfect. Although it may be tempting to think that good people will make the best disciples, experience shows that the failure, cheat and wilful sinner may give Jesus a real welcome. So, if you know people who are not trying to be good, don't dismiss them - Jesus could be preparing a special future for them after He pours His forgiveness over their guilty past. So take courage and tell them that Jesus lives with you and encourage them to meet Him too.
Eastern hospitality demanded the courtesy of making guests feel welcome and comfortable. After a hot and dusty walk, cool water would have refreshed the feet and, after washing face and hands, a little oil would have refreshed the visitor's head. However, although Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his home, he did not go out of his way to welcome the Saviour. Good manners vanished as the religious expert tried to find out what made Jesus 'tick'.
By contrast, the weeping woman loved Jesus because she believed that He could turn her life around, and deal with her sinful past. The difference between her behaviour and Simon's demonstrated that the religious man had no desire to honour Jesus, but the prostitute did. Her loving actions were a spontaneous expression of her faith in Jesus, and the Saviour responded by forgiving her sins. On the other hand Simon was not aware that he needed any forgiveness: his self-righteousness not only blinded him to the reality of his sin, but also to the true identity of his guest.
The same reactions occur today. Those who refuse to recognise and confess their sin have no time for Jesus. But those who know the burden of guilt and want to be released from its grip will find hope in Him. Paradoxically it is the really weak people who can more easily honour Jesus once they realise that He has the power to forgive. On the other hand, religious self-righteousness resents the Saviour; because to welcome Him is to admit that one's religion has not made them perfect. Although it may be tempting to think that good people will make the best disciples, experience shows that the failure, cheat and wilful sinner may give Jesus a real welcome. So, if you know people who are not trying to be good, don't dismiss them - Jesus could be preparing a special future for them after He pours His forgiveness over their guilty past. So take courage and tell them that Jesus lives with you and encourage them to meet Him too.
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