For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little. Luke 7:47

 What Simon and Jesus both knew was that Simon’s sins were many, too. Not much back story here. But this woman with a reputation as a “sinner” was at the dinner party at the house of Simon the Pharisee, the upper crust. She is in the paradigm of a paid escort. But whatever her vices, she was infamous for them. And she was a welcomed guest in Simon’s house.

So what is so different between prominent Simon and this woman who is not even named except as one known to be a sinner? Really, nothing.

Except in their actions.

And their heart, revealed by their actions.

Simon and the woman (I don’t like not calling her by name; I’m going to refer to her as Grace) both were keenly aware of their failings. Failings that might have even involved each other, after all, there Grace is at Simon’s party.

But Grace is far advanced over Simon, as proved by her actions. She is not gloating. Far from it. She is expressing brokenness and humility. Jesus called it love.

Simon was keeping up appearances as the consummate host. Nothing wrong with that. But he is hiding. He will not allow a chink in his armor. He, like me, is a poser.

The condition of these two is the same. But the contrast between them is vast. Grace knows her sin; and she knows one thing more: forgiveness.

Herein is Simon’s deficit. Here is Simon’s need for keeping up appearances. From here flows Simon’s need to disparage Grace. “Jesus, don’t you know who she is?”

“Yes,” says Jesus. What Jesus does not say is that he also knows who Simon is.

Jesus says nothing about that part. He doesn’t have to. They both know.

Jesus speaks to what Simon does not know. Grace has been forgiven. Grace already knows this. Hence the tears, the perfume, the outpouring of worship, love and brokenness.

Jesus still pulls his punch. “He who is forgiven little … .” Uh, who, exactly, is that? Not Simon. And he knows it.

The force of Jesus’ statement is not that there is gradation in quantity of sin, or forgiveness, or the love and worship that flows from the gift. Jesus’ point is exactly the opposite. All have been forgiven much. You too, Simon. Me too.

Simon, like me, sees only the external. A reputed sinner, with too much personal contact with Jesus. Simon does not see her heart, and does not know the gift Grace has been given that has inspired her behavior. Or until this interchange, that this same gift has been offered to him.

Jesus lets him in on this fabulous secret, in the most gentle and persuasive way. Jesus meets Simon exactly at the point of Simon’s understanding, incomplete as it is.

Jesus leads Simon from his error to a gracious, unstated, but unmissable invitation. How about you, Simon? Whether a little or a lot of sin (wink wink, we know which it is), would you like what Grace has?

[Insert dramatic pause.]

[Now, continuing …]

The external actions, the tears, perfume, etc., are suddenly not the main thing. They are the result. They flow. They are not to be criticized. Nor are they to be rotely emulated. But such demonstrative expressions, in the widest range of forms, are certainly to be expected from a heart that knows the forgiveness it has received.

And what of Grace, and her concern for her reputation? Suddenly that does not seem to matter so much anymore, either. Whether it’s the reputation of the past, or the exuberance of her expression in the present moment, something far larger has her attention. Her Savior is present. She has but one purpose. To express her deepest love and gratitude in the best way she knows. What people may think or say is of no consequence.

Jesus has come to my house. Will I wash His feet with my tears, anoint Him with oil and perfume, and so on? If not, it can mean only one thing. I don’t yet know what Grace knows. When I do, the outpouring will be spontaneous.

Lord, I can never know fully what You have done for me. May I be aware of Your love and grace, Your forgiveness, Your acceptance, and the Cross, now and continually. May my life be a continuous outpouring “tears washing Your feet” and “perfume anointing Your head.”

~~~