Do you see this woman?
Not one person at dinner with Jesus in the Pharisee’s house (Luke 7:36-51) saw her until she crashed the party, broke all the rules, crossed all the boundaries and touched Jesus.
But Jesus saw her – earlier in the day – when he had forgiven her. Now, after “creeping” on Jesus by following him to the Simon the Pharisee’s house, with the alabaster jar tucked carefully under her clothes, everyone saw her and what they saw, what they wanted to see, wasn’t good. They saw the sinner. And made a few assumptions.
Truth of the matter, doesn’t how Simon reacted describe us all? I confess that I can be a “Simon” more times than I am willing to admit. I make assumptions. I make judgements. I’ve been arrogant, self-righteous…the list goes on and on.
Then the Jesus in someone looks right past all of that and sees me like Jesus. She is a person working at Fairfax Orisman Toyota, and my God-sighting, who looked right past all the frustration over being stuck in traffic AGAIN as a consequence of Metro’s 300 day journey to safety and saw me and loved me anyway.
Jesus calls us to see and love like him. When we do, or experience others who show us that love, things change. Our demeanor, our attitudes, what we see, it all changes.
And as was pointed out, the verb form for “forgiveness” used twice in this passage in the original Greek text is one that suggested the action occurred in the past and continues into the present. In other words, the forgiveness of Jesus never stops.
And in that forgiveness we receive new identities as forgiven people and reconciliation and restoration and mended relationships and that never stops.
Jesus saw that woman and forgave her sins. He gave her a new identity. She was no longer “sinner” but “beloved child of God.” She had been freed. Her life, relationships, community had all been returned to her. And she breaks the neck of the alabaster jar and pours the ointment on Jesus’ feet in a marvelous act of love, gratitude and worship for the release to be free and to live into the possibilities that were now hers.
Where in our lives do we need forgiveness? Where in our lives does forgiveness need to be give? Where in our lives have we received forgiveness that creates a deep sense of gratitude.
When the woman broke the jar of anointment the aroma of freedom, gratitude and loved filled the home of Simon the Pharisee. It’s hard to miss that kind of joy, the expression of which may make us more than just a bit uncomfortable.
Where have we broken or need to break the alabaster jar in thanksgiving and praise? Express our gratitude, love and joy to God? What difference will it make?
Take the first step this week on the interesting journey toward forgiveness. Think of someone who has hurt or disappointed you or maybe someone you have hurt and disappointed and pray for them. And look forward to that day when you can break the alabaster jar in praise and thanksgiving!
Pastor Heidi