Shameless Faith

April 10, 2016 Background Scripture: Luke 7:36 – 50 Lesson Passage: Luke 7:36 – 50 I believe it is easier to follow the discourse of today’s lesson by considering some simple arrangements at a Middle Eastern dinner table and some common courtesies extended by hosts in first century Middle Eastern life. Dinner guests did not sit up to the table with their laps under it European style; but instead reclined towards the table head first with their feet extended outward. (An understanding of this table arrangement makes it easier to envision Jesus rising from supper the night of his betrayal and going around the table and washing the feet of his disciples.) Anyone who approached a group that was eating a meal at a table would arrive at their feet first. The second point to be understood is a common courtesy that was extended to dinner guests—especially by hosts who had servants. When the people wore footwear, it was normally sandals that primarily protected the bottom of their feet. As they traveled, mainly by foot, their feet became dusty. When the guests reclined at the table, it was then convenient for a servant to go around the table and wash their feet. Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to come to his house and eat with him. The woman knew she had an opportunity to express gratitude to Jesus in the most humble way when she learned that Jesus was at the dinner table in Simon’s house. The way she chose was to approach Jesus as a lowly servant washing his feet. The text does not disclose what motivated the woman to come to Jesus in such a way. That is perhaps best because we all come to Jesus at different times and for very different reasons. The woman did not bring a wash pan or a towel. She only brought a bottle of ointment to use after she had washed his feet. She used her tears to wash his feet and then she dried his feet with her hair. Then she kissed his feet and applied the ointment to them. Without speaking a word, Simon started to question Jesus’ status as a prophet since he did not appear to be bothered by the woman’s actions: given that the woman had a reputation as a sinful person. Surely a true prophet should be able to discern the type of person this woman was. Jesus was very discerning indeed. Jesus, in his divine essence, can discern the thoughts and intents of hearts. Jesus knew what Simon was thinking and that he was questioning within himself Jesus’ authenticity. Jesus openly answered the question Simon was pondering inwardly. He did so by describing an allegory involving the gratitude of two debtors who had their debts forgiven. He had Simon to tell him how gratitude was related to the amount of the debt forgiven. Then Jesus applied the woman’s situation to that of a debtor. The woman already knew she was forgiven for her sins so she was there to express her gratitude. Simon, who might not have known that he needed forgiveness, had not expressed the gratitude that would have been considered common courtesy for him. While Simon was inwardly questioning Jesus’ credentials and judging the woman’s character, he had totally missed the point of what God had done in the woman’s life and could do in his. Perhaps Simon thought it should have been a public embarrassment for Jesus to allow such a woman to touch him but he did not know that God had already touched that woman. Simon was still judging her for her past actions and questioning Jesus’ present ministry. It seems reasonable that Simon thought that both of them should have been ashamed. This woman demonstrated a shameless faith to a God who takes away our shame. Robert C. Hudson March 31, 2016