"Do You See This Woman?"

At church today, the Pastor's sermon was based from Luke 7:36-50 about the time that Jesus was invited to dinner at Simon the Pharisees'. When Jesus arrived, he was snubbed by Simon who purposefully omitted proper etiquette. In those days, it was customary to greet an equal by a kiss on the cheek and a person above you in station (such as a Rabbi and teacher) by a kiss on the hand. As Jesus was a Rabbi, a teacher, he should have received a kiss on the hand, however, he didn't even get a kiss on the cheek. It was also customary to wash an honored guests' feet. Or a smaller gesture, for a less honored guest would be to offer a servant to wash them, and at the VERY least, give them a bowl of water to wash their own feet. Simon did not even offer Jesus a bowl of water for his feet. Another custom was to anoint someone's head with oil as a blessing, but this too was not done for Jesus.
Yet a woman who had "lived a sinful life," commonly accepted to mean she was a prostitute, interrupted the party and washed Jesus' feet with the tears she was unable to keep from shedding and then dried them with her hair. (This was a big deal because back in those days, if a woman let down her hair in front of any other man but her husband, it would be grounds for divorce, as it was too provocative.) Then she poured the most expensive perfume she had over his feet and kissed his feet repeatedly. The whole act of washing someone's feet was the ultimate humility and self-abasement.
None of the guests would even look at this woman. In fact, Simon was convinced Jesus wasn't a prophet because if he were, he would know what sort of woman was touching him, that she was a sinner. He said this to himself, but Jesus answered him anyway. Jesus told of two men who owed money to a lender. One owed a small debt and one owed a very large debt, but neither were able to repay it. The lender calls them both in and cancels the debts. Jesus asked Simon which of the debtors would love the lender more. Simon "supposed" it would be the one who had the larger debt.
Jesus then turned to the woman and looked at her, but addressed Simon. "Do you see this woman?" Then he tells Simon that, even though he was an invited guest, Simon offered him no common courtesy, yet this woman gave the very best of what she had. Then he said (vs 47), "Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Then verse 50, "Jesus said to the woman, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
One of Pastor's points, was that all that we acquire in life is just temporary; houses, cars, jobs, money, etc. Everything but one thing: people. Our families, friends, neighbors. Those souls that we love and care about, those are permanent. We should spend more time concerned with people than with possessions. So ask your self, "Do I see this woman?" Do you look at those no one else would look at? Do you concern yourself with "acquiring" people rather than amassing more wealth?

This weekend my heart has been with my family even more than usual. As I am not near any of them to wrap my arms around them, I have prayed that God be my arms and wrap each one of them in His tender arms. I pray for healing, I pray for peace between parent and child, brother and sister, and between spouses. I pray that God use each of us, wherever we are in our own lives, to reach out to those around us.

Mom and Dad...I love you.
Josh, Stacei, Jacob, Ravyn, and Rachel...I love you.
Aubrey, Gary, Jeremiah, Brent, Jesse, and Sarina.....I love you.
Paul, Angie, Tyson, MacKelti,Trae, Taeo, MaeLynne, MadyLene, MeilaRose, and MajoziAnn...I love you.
Mark, Staci, Mason, Shayden, and Micha......I love you.
Megan....I love you.