Luke chapter 7 verse 36 -50 is a familiar passage for many of us. It recounts an event which took place one evening in the dining room of a spiritual leader’s house over two millennia ago. A woman, whose character was in question in that town, comes into the room where Jesus and his disciples were having dinner. Overcome with gratitude and repentance, having experienced Jesus’ grace she proceeds to express her feelings in the best possible way she could think of; she wet his feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair and then anointed them with perfume. In Luke’s account the attention is focused on three main protagonists there: Jesus, the woman and the host: Simon, a Pharisee.
Recently while reading this passage in my quiet time, I tried to put myself in the shoes of both Simon and the Woman and began reflecting on what might have been going on in their hearts and minds as this event unfolded.
We know very little about the woman here, except for the fact that she did not enjoy a very good reputation. She was living in a time and cultural setting when a person’s adherence to the law was the basis of his or her standing in the society. She was probably also aware of the fact that given the life she led , she would not be welcome into most people’s houses , least of all that of a Pharisee. She had no idea on how she would be treated when she entered a gathering of religious people. Perhaps she was also embarrassed, a woman who was not invited and probably not wanted anywhere near there. But she had experienced Jesus’ love and sensed his genuine concern for her and she was overcome and expressed her thankfulness and devotion in the best way she could think of, kissing Jesus’ feet , washing them with her tears , wiping them dry with her hair and finally anointing them with perfume.
We then turn to Simon the Pharisee who was watching this happening and was filled with self righteous indignation. He was a Pharisee, a respectable man and one of moral standing in the community. He was well versed in the scriptures and probably held a leadership position in the local synagogue. What this lady was doing perhaps repulsed him; here she was with her hair down – indicating that she may be a prostitute – entering his house and causing this embarrassing scene.
In verse 39 he assumes that the only way Jesus behaviour and his lack of indignation similar to his could be explained was that he was ignorant of who this woman was. In his mind he questions Jesus’ prophet hood and character. He reasons, if Jesus knew what kind of woman this was, He would have rebuked her and have her shown out, therefore he was either not a prophet or his character was in question . Perhaps this is why he invited Jesus to His house in the first place , to judge for himself based on his understanding , if Jesus was righteous or not . Jesus was still on probation! This is hinted in verse 44 in which it’s stated that he had forgone the basic courtesy due to an honoured guest – the washing of feet. Any deviation from norms of conventional morality meant either ignorance or immorality for him.
While he was still seething with these thoughts in mind, Jesus after sharing a parable asks him “do you see this woman?” The answer would have to be no, Simon did not see the woman. His was looking at her, his vision blurred by a fog of judgement and legalism which limited his vision to actually see her.
As part of my role with CMS, I visit individuals, NGOs, projects , churches and institutions in our subcontinent .There are initiatives which are reaching out to people living with HIV/AIDS, commercial sex workers, the transgender and homosexual community, people battling addictions….the list goes on. It is often an emotional experience listening to them. Some stories bring joy and encouragement and some bring sorrow and pain. Of the latter, what I found heartbreaking was some of their experience with Churches and Christians who like Simon, had failed to see them.
Rather then opening a debate on morality and what is right and wrong I hope that this reflection lets us pause for a bit and think about how we as individuals treat and perceive other individuals whom we may not agree with or whom we somehow perceive children of a lesser God even as our hearts and conscience know better . Maybe its convenient not to rock the boat or not challenge conventional norms . Maybe this may move you to start a conversation with a person different then those in your sphere and see them !
Author Philip Yancey recounts an event in the life of C.S Lewis: ‘ During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of returns from death. The debate went on for some time until C.S. Lewis wandered into the room. “What’s the rumpus about?” he asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity’s unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded,” Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.’ Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional to human actions .
Why is it then that we find it so hard to extend the divine grace , forgiveness and love so pivotal for for our salvation to our fellow men ? It would be useful to reflect on that . Are we ignoring the very essence of our hope and faith and wandering down the labyrinth of legalisms ?
I obviously write from a Christian perspective , would be interesting to have similar reflections from from an Islamic , Hindu and other perspective. Somehow we have all ended up with systems of ungrace and discriminations in spite of what we claim to adhere . Systems based on rejection of the Divine have ended up catching up in this department in an impressively short time .
Musings and our differences aside , maybe a start would be to practice compassion for our fellow men and raging against stereotypes and conventional manifestations of injustice and discrimination in our own little spheres …
Discussion
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