Do you see this woman?

"Do you see this woman ?"   Is the question Jesus asked Simon the pharisee who had invited him over for dinner.  This was a loaded question as are all questions that Jesus asks.  He is asking the pharisee in all of us if we really see and understand this woman he is highlighting as an example of what he is looking for in a woman, in his church, in his bride.  When Jesus told his disciples I am going away to prepare a place for you, he was referring to the Jewish custom of a groom going to prepare the addition to the home for his betrothed bride.  That is why he says in my fathers house are many mansions and that he will go prepare a place for you and come back for you.- He wants a Spiritual bride made of many members.

  Jesus speaking to Simon who is glad to have Jesus around (at arms length) can of course see the woman, he and many of his guests see her/judge her  by her past actions and her social status, but not her current heart condition before Jesus.  He and all the rest of the self-righteous are offended and embarrassed by her presence, boldness, and abandonment before Jesus.  Maybe they forgot about the book of Hosea and God's heart and commitment to his unfaithful bride.  In any event Jesus brings home the point to Simon and to us all,  when we invite him into our home, our heart, do we keep him at arm's length?  Or do we rush past the Simon's to the feet of Jesus, blocking out every distraction?  Do we honor him with our actions, time, our treasure and emotions irregardless of what the crowd thinks of us?  Is our passion and intimacy with him developed to the point that we look ridiculous to the establishment?  - What do you think when you see a man laughing uncontrollably in church or a woman in heaving tears, or a child dancing in abandonment?  Are you embarrassed and judgemental or do you see them like Jesus sees them fighting through the crowd to pour ointment all over his feet, greatful for what he has done in their life.  

Luke 11

 ^36-39One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee's house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him."

 ⁴⁰Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."

   "Oh? Tell me."

 ^41-42"Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?"

 ^43-47Simon answered, "I suppose the one who was forgiven the most."

   "That's right," said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, "Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn't quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal."

 ⁴⁸Then he spoke to her: "I forgive your sins."

 ⁴⁹That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: "Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!"

 ⁵⁰He ignored them and said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."