Can you see her?

Last week I was gripped by the story often called in our Bibles "A Sinful Woman Forgiven" found in Luke 7:36-50. This is a shocking story, in fact it rattled me as I read it. Most of us know the story so I will merely summarize it.

Jesus has been invited over to Simon the pharisees home for dinner. At the dinner a woman from the town walks in and stands behind Jesus at his feet, as he is reclining at the table. The woman stands there for a moment, bawling. Eventually the woman notices Jesus feet as they are becoming muddied from her tears and the dirt on the floor. In an honoring gesture she wipes his feet with her hair, kissing his feet, and annointing them with oil.
Meanwhile, Simon the pharisee is thinking that Jesus, obviously, can not be all that the people think he is because he is allowing this sinner of a woman to touch and kiss his feet.
Jesus, knowing the thoughts of Simon, grabs his attention and tells him a story of two debtors who have been forgiven debts owed. One owed 500 denarii and the other 50. Jesus proposes the question of which one will love him more. Simon answers reluctantly the one with the larger debt as Jesus affirms his answer.

This is the point in the story that rattled me. Jesus says to Simon, "Do you see this woman?"

I have read and reread this story over and over again for many years. Then all of a sudden, "do you see this woman." Jesus is doing something amazingly beautiful here. I believe he is filled with compassion for both Simon and the woman. He wanted Simon to see this woman as one who is forgiven and loved. In the same moment, Jesus wanted Simon to see himself. He wanted Simon to see that he was himself was a sinner needing to be saved from his own sin.

As one who grew up in the church I have been protected from what many of us call the gross sins. No one would look at me and label me a sinner. I do not have a reputation in the city for being a sinner. Most people would probably think of me as someone with very high moral values. Personally, it is easier for me to identify with Simon than it is for me to see myself as the sinful woman who knew she needed Jesus.

However, I am a wretch. When I look into the face of a holy God my only response is to be like Isaiah and declare that I am lost. Praise Jesus that through His blood I have been found! Apart from the blood of Christ I am truly lost.

It is my hope and prayer that I will not loose the awe of my Jesus who loves me and gave His life for me. May I bow in humble service and strive to live a life of godliness and humility, for I am truly no different than the woman who graciously loved upon my Jesus.