A Tale of Two Sinners
Jesus’ relationship with the Pharisees has often been described as contentious. He made no effort to hide his dislike of how the Pharisees treated people. He seemed to take every opportunity to point out their hypocrisy and their error. Still, not all the Pharisees hated Jesus. Some, like Nicodemus, believed in him. I want to believe that others were curious. I know that Jesus was patient with them as he is with us… patient but not tolerant of their sin.
Today we meet a Pharisee who appears to have a good relationship with Christ. He listened to Jesus teach. He witnessed him heal the sick. No doubt, he heard of Jesus raising the widow’s son from the clutches of death, and he invites him to his home for a meal. This man gave all the appearances of respect. He honors Jesus with the title “Teacher”. He shows admiration of him by inviting his friends and family to dine together in his honor. Unfortunately, none of it meant anything. All of his righteous behavior was merely for show. None of it touched his heart. In fact, he criticized Jesus in his mind and secretly scoffed at how he allowed the sinful woman to wash his feet.
By contrast, we have “a woman of the city, who was a sinner…” This is all the description of this woman which Luke gives us and yet it tells us more than it appears. While many surmise this was Mary Magdalene, nowhere are we told this. While John 12:3 records Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus’ feet, this is not the same instance, nor can we imply it to be the same woman. This was someone else, someone so touched by what Christ had done in her life that she boldly entered the Pharisee’s house unbidden and unwelcomed. The implication of the phrase Luke used reveals this woman was known to be of loose morals. In fact, John Trapp referred to her as a hussy and a strumpet. The fact that her hair hung loose enough for her to use it as a towel to wipe Jesus’ feet reveals her lack of modesty. Everything about this woman and her actions would have offended someone of moral character. She did not; however, offend God.
While the unnamed woman’s action revealed her deep love for her Savior, the Pharisee’s thoughts condemned his holy behavior as fraud. Though his lips called Jesus Teacher, his mind condemned him a liar. What a lesson for us today. In fact, I first read this passage yesterday but was so moved by what it said that I could not write this devotion until today. All day, I thought about how the Pharisee looked to be one of the few of his class who truly listened and believed in who Jesus was. Outwardly, he appeared to be a man like few others, one to be admired for his courage to believe when surrounded by doubt. No wonder Jesus called his sect a group of white-washed tombs.
What do our actions speak of us? This question has hit me hard in this season of my life. I am acutely aware that people are not always what they seem. It makes it hard for me to trust. Then I realize that no amount of showmanship fools our God. He was not the least bit confused by the Pharisee’s welcome nor the woman’s reputation. He saw through all the lies and labels directly into their heart and mind. He knew the obstacles their faith fought against. He knows the truth we try so hard to keep hidden. He sees our sin as clear as day though we try to keep it hidden in the darkness.
I know I will never be able to navigate relationships without God’s help. I am easily fooled by the show when I need to know the heart. Thank God for His gift of the Holy Spirit. A friend of mine recently told me that my lack of discernment was no excuse. I needed to ask the Holy Spirit to help me. She reminded me that He was always with me and never deceived. Perhaps you needed to hear these words of wisdom as well. Our eyes and ears can be misled. Our heart is easily convinced of what it wants to believe, but things are very rarely what they appear. Let us strive to never walk without the leadership of the Lord. Let us learn to lean on His understanding and not our own. There are actors everywhere, but God sees behind the mask to the truth of the soul.
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
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