A Stark Contrast

Read Luke 7:36-50 first and let the scene sink in. Imagine what it looked like. See Jesus reclining at the table with his feet strechted out behind him accross from Simon. Imagine there is some light conversation going on when suddenly something dramatic happens, a "sinner woman" enters, and she is very worked up. She is crying. She is distraught. She is on a mission. She went to work. Jesus looks at Simon for his reaction and Simon watches the woman's reaction and Jesus' reaction. Simon is critical of Jesus and the woman. The woman is so caught up in her work she cares little what anyone thinks. Jesus' reaction is coming by way of a story and a point. Surely there are others watching the scene unfold. This was their TV program for the evening.

The room turned very tense when Jesus told Simon, "I have something to say to you." I would have turned up the volume on my "clicker" at that point. I would not have wanted to miss what Jesus was going to say to this Pharisee. Simon was cool: "Say it, Teacher." The story Jesus told was simple. One moneylender, two debtors, one owing $50,000 another $5000, who could not pay, forgiveness for both, and their reactions. Simon must have been paying attention because he passed the one question test Jesus gave: "Which of them therefore loved him more?" Through Simon's eyes the answer was obvious: the one who was forgiven more loves more. Jesus gave him an "A" but in reality it was all about perception. Both were forgiven equal amounts, i.e. ALL. The consequence for non payment could have been the same for both.

But here is the STARK CONTRAST.

No Water vs Tears and Hair

No Kiss vs Kissing Feet

No Oil of Anointing vs Perfume of Anointing

"Forgiven Little" vs "Forgiven Much"

Loves Little vs Loves Much

For Jesus footwashing was about connection.  Read John 13, especially the part about Peter. "If I do not wash you you have no part with me." Kissing is about worship. The Greek word for worship is proskuneo meaning to kiss toward. The anointing oil could mean the passing of authority, but not in this case because it is coming from the lesser to the greater. Here it is about honor. It is preparation for Jesus' burial.

So if we put the entire scene together in a logical progression we would have this picture. 1) Recognition of Sin; 2) Confession of Sin; 3) Repentance; 4) Forgiveness; 5) Love; 6) Connection, Worship and Honor. Since Simon never recongnized his sin the process did not unfold for him. Stark!