The Bible is all about people and God’s relationship with them. I am intrigued and amazed as I read, and not only read, but study God’s interaction with us of the human race. I hope you allow yourself to see the Bible when you read it.
It’s in “seeing” the relationships that Jesus cultivated that we see the heart of God. This morning, I want you to see Mary. The other day I asked you to identify with the characters in the story of the man who was crippled and today I would like you to see yourself in this story as well.
Mary was a woman with an unscrupulous past. She was a prostitute. Shocking yes; unlovable no. Jesus has been invited to dinner at Simon’s house. He was a religious leader and a citizen of good standing. There were other guests, but it is these three that are important. (Luke 7:36-50)
Jesus and Simon were in the house getting ready to eat when Mary arrives. Who let her in? Had she been summoned for one of the guests? If not, why did the servants let her enter? Why did no one stop her?
She did something strange. She went and stood behind Jesus. Standing behind someone was a place of deference. A place of submission. The custom of the day was to recline at a meal. Mary was standing near Jesus’ feet.
“Then she came and stood behind Jesus. She cried and started washing his feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. The woman kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them.” Luke 7:38 CEV
This action brought ridicule from Simon. He didn’t speak it out loud, but he thought it in his heart – ridicule of both Jesus and Mary. Jesus knew his heart and asked a question about forgiveness.
Two men were in debt, Jesus said. One owed 50 silver coins and one owed 500. Both were forgiven their debt by the moneylender.
“Since neither of them could pay him back, the moneylender said that they didn’t have to pay him anything. Which one of them will like him more?” 43 Simon answered, ‘I suppose it would be the one who had owed more and didn’t have to pay it back.’” Luke 7:42-43 CEV
You’re right, Jesus said.
Simon hadn’t even shown Jesus the common courtesy of washing his feet or given Him a welcoming kiss. Mary not only washed His feet with her tears but kissed them and wiped them with her hair. Then she poured an expensive perfume on His feet. While Simon did nothing.
“‘So I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love.’ 48 Then Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your sins are forgiven.'” Luke 7:47-48 CEV
This is a story of God’s love in action. Both Mary and Simon had debts of sin that needed to be paid. Jesus was there to forgive them both. One harbored resentment in his heart and one was humbled by God’s compassion.
“But Jesus told the woman, ‘Because of your faith, you are now saved. May God give you peace!’” Luke 7:50 CEV
I’ve been like both of our main characters – resentful and critical and humbled and contrite. God’s love and forgiveness was the same toward me in both situations. It doesn’t change. What changed was the peace I felt when I humbly received His forgiveness and His love.
I love much because of His love for me.