RT1 discussed Luke 7:36-50 this week. When talking about this passage, it is common to focus on the great sacrifice of the woman. However, our discussion was centred on what motivated this woman’s actions. Why did she, a sinner, come to a law-keeping Pharisee’s house? Why did she, a woman, enter a room full of men? Why did she wet Jesus’ dirty unwashed feet with her tears, wipe them with her hair, kiss them, and pour her precious jar of perfume over them? Who was Jesus to this woman that she was willing to break all social conventions to express such extraordinary sacrifice and worship unto him?
We know that this woman lived in the same town as Simon the Pharisee (possibly the town of Nain where Jesus raised the widow’s son from the dead), and that she lived a sinful life (possibly a prostitute or someone whose whole life was publicly known to be defined by sin). This likely made her someone broken, lowly and cast out. Up to this point in his ministry, Jesus had done miraculous acts, healed many ailments, and ate with tax collectors and sinners. Perhaps this woman had heard of Jesus’ works. Or perhaps she heard of Jesus’ words, proclaiming “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (Luke 6:20) Either way, she must have known that Jesus was a miracle worker, a healer, a forgiver (Luke 5:20), and one who embraced the excluded. This woman recognised her sin and her need for forgiveness, this woman experienced pain and rejection and yearned for acceptance – and this drew her powerfully to Jesus, even if it meant standing out of sight, humbly at his feet.
Pondering this woman’s actions, we asked ourselves: how would we react if Jesus were to walk into the room now? We realised that not many of us could imagine responding in the way she did. We discussed that this could be due to (1) not recognising our sin, or (2) not recognising our saviour.
If we know Jesus to be powerful, wise and loving, yet fail to see our own instinct and inclination to sin, we may welcome him and give him a seat of honour, but nothing more. If we know the depth of our sin, but do not know Jesus’ tender heart for the lost and broken, we may hide away from him or fall to the floor in fear. But if we do both – know the gravity of our sin and also know the grace of our saviour (like this woman did) – maybe then we will come to Jesus, mourning and repenting for our sin, yet brimming with gratitude for being forgiven and desiring to express our love in the very best way we know how. Let us examine our hearts and ask God to help us equally recognise our sin and our saviour more and more.
Blessings,
Jordan (on behalf of RT1)
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