Dinner at Simon's House - Pt 1

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:6-13 ESV). First, let me say Happy July 4th to you! I hope you had an opportunity to read yesterday’s devotional. I dealt briefly with the theme of the holiday there. Today, I am going to begin to look at a particular text in preparation for a sermon I will preach at Gospel City Church of Arlington in a couple of weeks. I have been asked to continue the theme of “Dinner with Jesus.” This passage has always been a favorite of mine and I have decided to use it as the basis for that sermon. Perhaps it will also provide some inspiration and encouragement to you as well. It is typically the focus of expositors of this passage to focus on the extravagant gift of this unnamed woman who pours the alabaster jar of ointment on the head of Jesus; however, we must begin with Simon the leper to really understand the fullness of this event from the last week of Jesus’ earthly ministry. We know little about the identity of this man except he was formerly a leper. He is mentioned in our passage today and in the Gospel of Mark (cf. Mark 14:3-9). Both passages tell the story of Jesus’ visit to his house in Bethany. This village was also the location of the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.

We do know that Simon had been healed of the leprosy and it was this that had drawn him to Jesus. He desired to show his gratitude, and at Christ's last visit to Bethany he made a feast for Jesus and His disciples. This feast brought together many of the Jews. There was at this time much excitement at Jerusalem. Christ and His mission were attracting greater attention than ever before. Those who had come to the feast closely watched His movements, and some of them with unfriendly eyes. Jesus had come to Bethany only six days before the Passover, and according to His custom had sought rest at the home of Lazarus. Many flocked to Bethany, some out of sympathy with Jesus, and others from curiosity to see one who had been raised from the dead. Many expected to hear from Lazarus a wonderful account of scenes witnessed after death. They neither heard that report nor did they hear from this man who had been so miraculously healed. What they saw was the absolute devotion of an unnamed woman who would make any sacrifice for someone she recognized as the One giving the ultimate gift of life on her behalf. It is a story of relationship that cannot be broken either in this world or the next! That is the real beginning of the gospel. You are indeed safe in the arms of Jesus!