LUKE 7: 36 – 50

In this enlightening passage, we have two completely different people drawn together by the presence of Jesus – the sinner woman and Simon the Pharisee – two extremes. They were under the same roof because of Jesus. Social differences always meet in the presence of Jesus, and to Him, there is no difference. We are all in need of His power and presence – the vilest of sinners and the most sanctified saint. Thank God it remains not just a saying but a biblical truth “. . . This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them” (Luke 15:2). Can you imagine where we all would have been if this were not so?

We are told that Simon saw this woman enter his house, go around to where Jesus was, and began showing great love and devotion to Him, and Simon couldn’t help himself. Immediately, he started passing judgement and jumped to his own conclusions. In his mind and in his religion, she did not stand a chance. The Gospel writer Luke tells his readers “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” (7:39).

All Simon could see was that she was a sinner, unworthy of grace, love or forgiveness. The reader can feel his contempt for her. As far as he was concerned, she really did not belong there. You could see the disdain on his face, the look of disapproval, the attitude of disgust and displeasure he had for this woman described as a sinner. Here, it must be pointed out that the word sinner according to the context of those times, is synonymous with harlot. Needless to say, Simon the Pharisee is dumbfoundedly horrified.

He is so appalled that he comes to the conclusion that this Jesus could never be a prophet, for if He was any kind of a prophet, He would have known who this woman was, touching him, weeping, wiping His feet with her hair, kissing His feet and anointing them. Simon contended that if Jesus was any real prophet He would have immediately known and would have prevented it.  He saw her as lost, incapable and unworthy of salvation, but she was so much closer to Jesus than he was, as the passage reveals.

He couldn’t see how God or any prophet of God could receive such a person. It is graphically demonstrated that Simon is not only shocked, but he is cold, self-centered and satisfied in his own thinking. He was utterly contemptuous of this sinner woman and felt justified that he was interpreting the divine attitude. He sat as God judging and criticizing even Jesus.

However, Simon was so wrong! May God help us today not to be so cold, harsh, judgmental, and self-righteous.  Simon was religious but cold and heartless. He was a ritualist and a traditionalist but so far from Jesus!  He knew the creeds without any real, living relationship with the Savior and Redeemer of humankind. The Church of God cannot be Pharisaical – like Simon! Simon knew nothing of the tenderness, compassion and mercy of God. This woman outshines him on every level, even on the grounds of common courtesy and her love for Jesus. Simon was so wrong!