Thankful Women

“Parable: Thanking Jesus”

Luke 7: 36-50

            Jesus tells a story during a dinner party at the home of a Pharisee.

Why Jesus accepted this invitation is unknown until the events of the story are played out in real events. What occurs at the Pharisee’s home includes the telling of the story and the immediate reaction being lived.

Jess is at the home of a Pharisee when a woman who had been known to lead a sinful life came to the home with an alabaster jar of perfume. This woman stood behind Jesus and wept at his feet, she wet his feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed that then poured perfume on them. The Pharisee sees what this woman is doing and questions Jesus. “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is- that she is a sinner.”

IT is then that Jesus tells a story about two men. These men owed money to a moneylender. One owed him 500 denarii and the other 50 denarii. Neither had the means to repay the money so the moneylender canceled the debts of both. Which of these will love him more? The one who had the bigger debt canceled would. Jesus responded stating that Simon was correct in this.

Jesus then using the woman as an example tells Simon. Since the woman came into the house she has wet his feet, wiped them dry, kissed his feet and anointed his feet with oil. It is through these actions that this woman has shown her love. And through these actions, Jesus states, “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Through the parable Jesus develops the need for the forgiveness of debt and forgiveness of sins. Of the two men who owed money the one who owed more should be more grateful. Such is the case of the woman who entered this house knowing Jesus was to be there. She was a known sinner, who in the company of men, touched Jesus. But it is she whom Jesus forgives for her past sins and she is now to lead a life of peace. This woman showed her love for the teacher in her actions and through this she was forgiven.

Forgiveness arouses love, which is expressed by gratitude. Both love and gratitude are shown to Jesus through the woman’s actions. Jesus teaches Simon what this means and forgives her. This woman’s life was changed and she left that house forgiven and at peace.

Thanking Jesus is the natural response to being forgiven of sin. As we approach Thanksgiving (Canada) what are you thankful for beyond the harvest of food? Do you give thanks for Jesus and that you receive forgiveness?

PRAYER:

Holy God, we praise you and thank you for Jesus who through his death and resurrection we may be forgiven of our sins. We praise you that He teaches us how important it is to love and that we may forgive others. We are grateful O God and we rejoice in all your many blessings to us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

BLOG QUESTION

Have you shown your love to Jesus for forgiving your sins? The woman risked her life by entering a home of a Pharisee and pouring the oil on Jesus’ feet in the presence of many people. She showed her love and desire for forgiveness by showing her love for Jesus as her teacher and Saviour. How do you show your love for Jesus? What do you do show that Jesus is worth it?