One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And 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. She 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.
Now 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.” Jesus spoke up and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Teacher,” he replied, “Speak.”
“A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he canceled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
Then 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. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, 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.”
Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”“
Luke 7:36-50
This passage of scripture has been in several sermons over the last several months – most recently a couple of weeks ago as part of Pastor Adam’s Breaking Bread With Jesus Lenten sermon series.
I know that today’s post isn’t particularly focused on my trip to Israel, but I keep coming back to this scripture and I feel that I need to share it.
Jesus spent his time with people of all walks of life. In this story, Jesus was sharing in a meal with several Pharisees, and a sinful woman entered in. The Pharisees knew who the woman was, she had a bad reputation in town and people, especially the Pharisees, distanced themselves greatly from her.
As she came in and sobbed at Jesus’ feet, bathing them with her tears and drying them with her hair, the Pharisees questioned who Jesus’ said he was. Make note of that.
Jesus went on to question the Pharisees’ invitation to the meal they were sharing. He made note of all the things that they had not offered Jesus as he entered their home. They had neglected to show great love towards him, and all she did was show love.
This passage reminds me a lot of a passage of scripture in Matthew.
“for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’
Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’
And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
Matthew 25:35-46
In the first passage, Jesus talks about how the Pharisees’ did not show love to him. In this second passage, Jesus talks about how showing love towards strangers ultimately shows love towards him.
I think right now, more than ever, we need to live out Jesus’ message in these two passages of scripture. In the midst of the chaos, panic, unknown, and fear of COVID-19, we (as the church) need to carry out Jesus’ calling.
Love Jesus.
Pray to him. Find peace in him. Find rest in him. Find comfort in his unending love for us. Pray that he will keep you safe and healthy so you can continue to share his love and serve his people. Rely on him. Lean into him. Spend time in prayer, in scripture, in song, in nature, in art, in conversations. Seek him throughout the coming days and weeks.
Love Others.
Find ways to donate extra food, cleaning supplies, toilet paper and other necessary items to those who either can’t afford it or to those who need it because we’ve panic purchased more than we can consume. Find ways to be in community with others (while social distancing to stop the spread). Find ways to show love and support to those who are sick – call, send a text, send a card, pray with them. Pray for all those who are sick, that God may provide them comfort and peace. Pray for those who are caring for those who are sick, that God may keep them safe so they can continue to serve. Pray for the businesses, organizations, groups, etc that are being impacted.
Lord, we have no idea what the road ahead has for us. Some are panicked, some are calm. Some are sick, some are healthy. Some have plenty, some have none. Lord, help us to find peace and hope in You. Help us to love those around us. Supporting each other and coming together as the church is so important right now. People are looking for hope and security in a time of chaos and panic. Let the church be place we can gather and find rest, comfort and peace in You and in community with one another. Lord we need You. Amen.
Tomorrow we’ll be back to reflections from the Holy Land! I spent this afternoon outlining the next 29 days we will spend together and I am really excited! As we get closer to Holy Week, there will be more and more videos and photos to share!
Abbey Jo
Adventures with Abbey Jo 
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