“And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.” (Luke 7:44 KJV).
The setting is a banquet at the home of a Pharisee named Simon. A woman from the city gate-crashed the party, barging in with an alabaster jar of perfume. She barged in, not to join the feasting. She came to wash the Lord's feet with her tears, dry them up with her hair and anoint them with oil and perfume. Then the Lord tells Simon of the parable about a moneylender and two debtors forgiven from their debts, telling the weight of sins that God forgives for those who come humbly in His presence (Luke 7:36-43).
In this passage, the Lord Jesus draws Simon’s attention to the woman's extravagant display of honor in contrast to Simon’s absence of courtesy for common hospitality. The Jewish culture of giving water for washing the feet of one’s guest entering the house was not accorded by Simon to the Lord Jesus, this passage reveals. Instead, Simon the host judges the woman by labeling her a sinner, as if he is not. We all are sinners without the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is likely that Simon was not listening to the Lord’s teaching about judging (Matthew 7:1).
This stark contrast, between the woman party crasher and Simon the party host, serves as a powerful reminder that true righteousness is not found in outward displays of religious piety, but in the condition of one's heart and relationship with God by faith in Christ Jesus. It is written: “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”” (Romans 1:17 NIV).
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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