The Feast At Simon’s House

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged. And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head. Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. Luke 7:36-50

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12

Jesus is invited to come to a Jewish leader’s home and Jesus accepts the invitation. When He comes to the home, and when they sat down to eat, a woman comes into the gathering, of mostly males, and begins to wash Jesus’ feet with a box of ointment. The odor of the ointment draws all attention to her, and her actions. When the attention is upon Jesus and the woman the owner of the house – Simon- says in his heart that Jesus should not receive these kinds of attention from a woman in public. He also thinks that Jesus should not receive these attentions because the woman is addict/sinner, and Jesus is supposed to be a holy man. Jesus, knowing what Simon has thought, through the insights of the Holy Spirit, speaks to Simon and gets him to pass judgment on two sinners, in a parable. Simon says that the person who has been forgiven most will love the most. Then Jesus turns to the woman and proclaims that since she has loved the most that her many sins have been forgiven, whereas Simon, thinking he has not sinned does not love much. Simon received the inventory and so did the woman. Jesus says that her faith has saved her.

Prayer for Today: Thank You Lord for not embarrassing Simon by a direct confrontation. Help us to receive Your corrections in the spirit in which it has been given, and will be given. Grant us Your great love and heal us from our addictions. Thank You so very much.