LW Baptist

By Rolland Coburn

Pastor

One day Jesus accepted a religious leader’s dinner invitation. When someone entertained, villagers felt free to come and watch quietly from the room’s edges. Among them was a woman of bad reputation. Standing behind, at Jesus’ feet, tears welled in her eyes, then—horrors—some fell on him, so quickly dropping her hair, she brushed them off, which increased their flow; apologetically kissing his feet she anointed them with perfume she’d brought him.

The host thought, “If this man is a prophet, he’d know the person touching him is a sinner.” Jesus then said, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” Jesus spoke of a moneylender forgiving two debtors, one owning about a year’s income, the other two month’s wages. Jesus asked, “Which of them will love him more?” Simon answered warily, “I suppose the one he forgave more.” Jesus replied, “You’ve judged correctly.”

Turning toward the woman, Jesus asked, “You see this woman? I am your guest. You gave me no water for my feet, no embrace in greeting, no oil to freshen my hair. But she refreshed with tears and with her hair dried, kissed and perfumed my feet. So I can tell you forgiven are her many sins. Her love shows it. But little forgiven is one who has little love.”

To the woman, Jesus said, “Your sins have been forgiven.” The dinner guests began saying, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But Jesus said to her, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Soon afterward, Jesus went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of God’s kingdom. The 12 were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; Joanna, the wife of Chuza; Herod’s household manager, Susanna; and many others.

Simon was religious, thinking he could earn salvation. But Jesus showed him that by God’s grace he, like the woman, could know Jesus’ pardon. She and the other women received salvation’s gift through faith in Christ, resulting in their grateful, loving service. Jesus offers the same to us, to know he has changed our hearts, opened our eyes and taught us to love. Jesus makes us know that we are his and have been transformed. We can truly say, we love because he first loved us.

LW Baptist meets Sundays at 9:30 a.m. in the Amphitheater.