|
Jesus is dining with a Pharisee. A town woman comes uninvited
and bathes Jesus’ feet in perfumed oil. The Pharisee is aghast!
Why would Jesus allow this woman to touch him? Jesus
replies with a parable in which a money lender forgives the
debts of two men — one who owes a small sum and one who owes a
huge sum.
Which Of Them Will Love Him More?
Why do questions always bring about more questions?
If the woman was so sinful, why was she allowed in the
Pharisee’s home? Why did she, the sinner, bring perfume to Jesus
instead of the Pharisee?
Why did the lady use her hair to clean Jesus’ feet? I know back
in the day oils were used instead of soap. What did the perfume
smell like? Why don’t we use perfumes like this today?
Perfumes were expensive. How much did she spend on Jesus
relative to what the Pharisee spent on Jesus?
Why did the Pharisees always try to keep people away from Jesus?
Why didn’t they consider themselves sinners?
When we consider the story of two men who owed money, can we
really say that some gifts are greater than others? Isn’t
forgiveness forgiveness, no matter the original debt? This has
always been the hardest part of this parable for me to
understand.
Why am I so easily distracted as I read? What message should I
really be getting from this parable?
This passage gives me a wondrous feeling of inclusion. The
sinful woman was included in Jesus’ love because of her faith.
Why do some think it’s their place to exclude others? What
makes them judge others? Why don’t their sins count toward their
exclusion? Why do “sinners” have to be watched instead of
invited?
Jesus opened my eyes in this story. Everyone has some gift to
offer the world. We need to be ready to receive the gift in
order to appreciate it. Jesus gifted us with his love and grace.
With what can we gift him? Faith — no qualification given.
Believe and act in love. Go in peace.
Karen Vlamis
|