Unwavering Devotion

 

[Jesus said] “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” (Luke 7:41-47 ESV).

 

In the Jewish culture of the first century, women generally had few rights and were expected not to be seen or heard. Even in the gospel accounts, few women are named. The anonymous woman in today’s story crashes Simon’s party and makes a scene as she lets down her hair in public. This would have been seen as seductive. Her perfume permeates the air. Her weeping breaks the awkward silence. Jesus knows what Simon is thinking, so he tells a brief parable about debts and forgiveness. Then he asks Simon a seemingly obvious question: “Do you see this woman?”

 

Simon really doesn’t see her. He observes the woman’s actions but fails to discern what is happening in the spiritual realm. Jesus understands that this woman is pouring out her deepest feelings of thanksgiving and love toward God. It’s a sacred moment of unconditional surrender and devotion to God.

 

This question reverberates into our time as well: “Do we see this woman?” We often choose to stay neutral, impartial, and detached when it comes to expressing emotion for God. But such a radical outpouring of affection to Jesus is healthy and pleasing to God.

The truly forgiven Christian pours out his or her love for Jesus. We need the eyes of Jesus to see and honor the beauty of such “great love” when a forgiven sinner shows it.