Tuesday 15 October, 2019

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward 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. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

I wonder what was on the woman’s mind that made her so upset? Whatever it was, she is so overwhelmed that she couldn’t keep it together any longer. She couldn’t hide it. As she stood there, her tears fell on Jesus’ feet and she dried them with her hair.

I wouldn’t think this type of public interaction with Jesus was a regular occurrence and it would’ve been hard to miss. Maybe it was even a little bit awkward. I think Simon the Pharisee wanted to rush in and help “sort out” this woman’s problem. To get to the solution quickly. Maybe Simon felt uncomfortable with what Jesus was allowing to happen.

But Jesus shows that He is not uncomfortable nor that He’s in any rush to “fix” her. He doesn’t step in and stop her. He just allows her to do what she needed to do. He doesn’t feel uncomfortable with her broken heartedness. Instead, He stays there. He waits with her and doesn’t shoo her away. It is such a tender moment, a place where she finds grace. She came with pain, tears and perfume. He exchanged it for forgiveness and peace. And in this way, Jesus provides exactly the “solution” she needed: healing.

When I read this, I realise that this is what Jesus offers me too – an invitation to come to Him. To experience tender moments with Him where I can receive His healing, comfort and peace.

Jesus, I am so thankful that You are not afraid or uncomfortable with my emotions. Thank you for taking what I cannot bear and exchanging it for peace and comfort. In You, I find strength and hope!

Written by Gab Martin