Text: Luke 7:36-50

Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner."

Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."

"Tell me, teacher," he said. "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he cancelled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt cancelled."

"You have judged correctly," Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

You know if I didn't know better I'd say I've met this Simon - Simon the Pharisee. But, for the life of me, I just can't place who I'm thinking of. Nice guy. He invited Jesus, who he generously endows with the title 'Rabbi', right into his house for a lovely meal. A charitable fellow all round. See what I mean, you'd all could match that description.

Now, I know this Simon fellow does seem to be the type to have a hidden motive for his generosity. His non-host like behaviour towards his Jesus - no welcome kiss, no refreshing foot washing, or even a dab or two of perfume - all this seems to suggest he's more interested in himself looking like a host, than actually being a host. His open door that allows everyone to walk in probably indicates he's more interested in being seen as generous than actually being generous. And his unspoken criticism of Jesus shows he's not really interested in actually learning anything new. He knows it all. This meal is, it seems, a big show for Simon's benefit rather than his guests. But then again who of us could claim to act with pure motives. I know lots of people who try to hide their self-centredness, and like Simon think they do a good job. It could almost be anyone, I wonder. Who could this Simon be?

What really annoys Simon is when a well known "woman" strolls in through his open door. A woman thinking she's got the right to walk into his house is bad enough, but this one is a well known law breaker, and she tops it all off by beginning to wash Jesus' feet. But again who of us wouldn't have a little trouble relating to the well known sinners of our society. We're happy enough if they stay out of our lives, but imagine if they were to come into our very homes. We'd feel a little threatened, I'm sure you'd agree. They're disturbing people, and who likes being disturbed?

For example, only a few years ago people living together without being married were described as "living in sin". Wonderful description, because it also means that respectable married people like you and me know that such a term can't be used to describe us. But now it's all changed. You know what forces such changes of attitude, of course! It's when such people do come into our homes. When our children, come to us and say, Mum, Dad, I think you should know I've moved in with Tom. Suddenly our neat categories are shattered, and we can no longer use our clear-cut divisions.

Simon the Pharisee's whole life depended on being able to maintain such clear divisions. Surely we can understand his wondering about this new Rabbi when he not only doesn't seem to be disturbed by such things, but actually enjoys and seeks out the company of such people?

See what I mean about Simon being familiar? I've heard that attitude being expressed only recently. Now who is it?

When Jesus came on the scene the Pharisees rejected him because he didn't isolate himself from society. He spoke to tax collectors and women in public. He associated with those who drank wine, and didn't mind being with people who enjoyed their food. Now, as the Pharisees would have said, how can you be a holy person when you don't even act as if you're a little above everyone else.

So right from the start we know there's going to be a clash. In comes this woman, a woman of questionable background, she weeps, she expresses her emotion publicly, and as Jesus reclines at the low table, she touches, caresses, washes, and does not stop kissing his feet. This is intolerable behaviour, it's embarrassing, it's humiliating to watch, it's disgraceful, and probably disgusting.

Wouldn't we all tend to use words like these if a similar class of woman were to come in here and begin fondling my feet, right now. Even if I enjoyed it, even if it boosted my male ego, I'd have to at least pretend I was outraged, and even then, you'd still raise your eyebrows. What's her motivation?

When Simon looks at himself he sees a generous, open, accepting, law abiding, religious man. And he works hard so that others see him like that, as well. Simon enjoys playing the host, displaying his generosity, and his upright life. When he looks at this woman he sees a lesser being, a reject of society, an outcast, and a religious failure - a sinner. And he expects any self-respecting, fellow teacher of God's law to make the same judgment.

But Jesus judgment is not the same. He's experienced Simon playing the host. The host whose too busy looking after himself, to even think of actually serving his guests. And Jesus has experienced the loving actions of a person who, it seems, cannot think of anything else, but serving, and giving and loving. She isn't playing at being the host, she is the host. And she's been taught by an expert. Jesus sees that God has lavished on her his free forgiveness. Her actions, her life is now motivated by God's grace. And she selflessly serves the neglected guest.

Have you recognised Simon yet? Naming names won't do much good. The real question is can anything help? Is there any hope for this proud, self-centred and self-serving person? It seems that Jesus knows only one cure. That all like Simon come into contact with God's forgiveness. A huge amount of God's forgiveness. The more the better. Isn't it so desperately sad therefore that Simon, and all like him, somehow seem to believe that life is all about taking as little forgiveness as possible. The most gracious host of all time waits at his table that's groaning under the weight of his wonderful gifts but we Simons pick at the edges hoping that every one notices how little we take, while we sneer at any who without thought of their public image, display their need by feasting sumptuously.

On this day and every day, let's pig out on God's grace. Let's acknowledge our utter dependence on his forgiveness, love and strength. Let's recognize just how much he serves us with all that he has and is. And then let's live lives that are motivated by such amazing gracious serving.