Luke 7:36-8:3 (NRSV)
Read Luke 7:36-8:3 on biblegateway.com
Verse 36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. Verse 37And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. Verse 38She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Verse 39Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him-that she is a sinner." Verse 40Jesus spoke up and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher," he replied, "Speak." Verse 41"A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Verse 42When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?" Verse 43Simon answered, "I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt." And Jesus said to him, "You have judged rightly." Verse 44Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. Verse 45You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. Verse 46You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Verse 47Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little." Verse 48Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Verse 49But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Verse 50And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
Chapter 8Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, Verse 2as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Verse 3and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.
Devotion
When my father died, the family gave me the task to write my dad’s obituary. I wrote about his accomplishments and his degrees. (Which were many and impressive.) I wrote about his investment in mission and his love for his family. (Which was the most important part of his life.) And after I thought I was done, I knew that I was missing something.
Then it hit me. He was an intensely kind man and his kindness drew people to him. So I added the following line, “The well of the world's kindness has taken a loss in his passing and leaves for us a compelling obligation of kindness to carry forward.” Sometimes the simplest acts are the most profound.
The hosts who invited Jesus to join them in a meal had overlooked the simple acts of hospitality and kindness. It could be that the hosts had their minds full of anticipation and full of the business at hand; the business of “checking out” this Jesus of Nazareth. With minds so full, they forgot the simplest act of kindness; a greeting kiss.
The uninvited woman had only one thing in her mind that day. It was not her public position, her status with the people in the room or even her uninvited intrusion that filled her mind. Her actions exposed what was in her mind: she loved Jesus. A simple act. A profound statement.
Prayer
Lord God, every day we have opportunity to offer simple acts of kindness to others. May you give us the wisdom and courage to act on these opportunities. May we make room in our minds and actions for simple acts of kindness. Amen.