“Measuring it out”

By Rev. Michael Stonhouse

Meditation – Thursday, October 10, 2024

Luke 7:36-50 (Forward, p. 73) CEV p. 1066

One has to wonder why Simon the Pharisee even invited Jesus to dinner. Was it the ‘thing to do’ back then? Or was He some kind of ‘trophy guest?’ Or did he want to check him out or catch him out on something? Or did he sense that he had some kind of need that only Jesus could meet? Or did He just want to enjoy Jesus’ company and conversation? It could have been any of these--except for the last two, seeing as he neglected almost all the niceties expected of a host when entertaining a distinguished guest. Surely, he did not feel any need of Jesus and what He had to offer.

The woman, here identified as ‘a sinful woman’—though never specified why—surely was not of that mind. She knew her need of Jesus and wanted to honour Him. And she did so in a very spectacular, costly, and intimate way. It is interesting: we don’t even know whether the two of them had ever previously met, and yet she still responds in this manner. The contrast between her welcome and gratitude and that of Simon could not be more obvious.

When Simon objected to her behaviour in his inner thoughts, Jesus brought up this contrast. Jesus told him that it was like two people who were badly in debt: surely the one who has a larger debt forgiven will feel more gratitude than the one who is forgiven a smaller amount. In like manner, Jesus says that this woman, knowing that her many sins have been forgiven, responds with such exuberance, gratitude, and love, whereas one with little sense of sin and little sense that he needs forgiveness—like this Pharisee--will show far less love or care or gratitude. Surely, this sense of what we have received, of how God has blessed us, then will become the measure of our response.

Forward notes: “Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman?’” (verse 44a)

“Simon the Pharisee throws a party at his house, and this woman crashes it, committing a social faux pas and angering Simon to the point where Jesus can read his mind. Then Jesus asks a question that I think is one of the most profound in the gospels: ‘Do you see this woman?’

“Simon probably thinks, ‘Of course, I see this woman! Why do you think I’m so angry?’

“But all Simon the Pharisee can see is this objectionable presence at his party; all he can see is the sum of her sins. Jesus isn’t asking if Simon notices her presence. He is asking if Simon could see her. See her humanity. See the image of God she bears.

“One of the consequences of following Jesus is that he changes how we see things. Following Jesus shapes us to see how Jesus sees.”

Moving Forward: “Can you look beyond the labels and stereotypes you’ve given people and instead see their humanity and the image of God in them?”