Everything She Had
Jun
17
Written by:
Sunday, June 17, 2007
June 17, 2007
Simon the Pharisee was entertaining guests in the courtyard of his
home (Luke 7:36-8:3). It was common at that time for Rabbis who were
teaching to have other Jews enter the courtyard to listen. Jesus was also
present at this gathering. A notorious woman with a very dubious reputation
also slipped in with the other listeners, but she was not there to hear the
Pharisee. No, she was there because of Jesus.
Women of this time frequently wore a pendant around their neck
containing expensive perfume. It was one of their most precious possessions,
and was used sparingly, if ever. So having an alabaster vial of rich
perfume was not at all unusual. But what she did with it
was unusual. She
Father Gary
poured this aromatic ointment all over Jesus' feet (not the usual location to
use it!), after washing them with her tears and drying them with her hair.
This woman committed a number of social gaffs, not the least of
which was letting down her hair in public. Only the lowest type of woman
would normally do this, and Simon, the Pharisee, who was watching everything,
formed a harsh opinion of both Jesus and this woman. Why had she
done such a thing in public?
She was so grateful to Jesus that she literally gave all she had: one
of her most treasured possessions (the alabaster jar of perfume), her tears
(an unacceptable display of emotion), her service (washing his feet, which
only a servant would do), and letting her hair down to dry them (thus humiliating
herself in public). In short, the woman gave everything she possibly
could to Jesus; for Jesus had given her the one thing she needed most – forgiveness.
How much we give of ourselves to Jesus in this life depends in large
measure on how much we think Jesus has done for us. Simon the Pharisee
apparently had little love for Jesus, but the poor, sinful, and disadvantaged
woman literally could not do enough for him. Which of these two people do
my actions most identify with?