Jesus and Simon
December 8, 2022
Jesus the Prince of Peace offers peace to those around Him who repent and accept His rule. If we allow the Prince of Peace to rule over us, we will live in peace with Him, regardless of our past. We repent and Jesus redeems us. Jesus’ encounter with Simon reminds us of these truths.
“Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman?
Luke 7:44a ESV
Jesus is asking Simon to actually look at her and to fully see her—as a person with a heart full of love for Jesus. A woman who has filled in where Simon has failed.
“I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss 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 are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.””
Luke 7:44b-47 ESV
Jesus rebukes Simon for his lack of courtesy and his lack of love. Jesus praises this woman’s actions and her heart of love. Elevating her in the midst of men who saw her as beneath them. Honoring her love and worship in the presence of those who judged her as unworthy. Giving her a spot in scripture for all time.
Can we reframe a situation for those who are condemning and seeing both themselves and others incorrectly? This is hard to do. But if we are called to be like Jesus in offering peace and forgiveness to the softhearted, repentant ones, should we not, could we not, also strive to be like Jesus in offering rebuke and reframing to the self-righteous ones in a way that opens the door for change and finding forgiveness as well?
Neither is easy to do, though perhaps we feel safer, or better about ourselves when we follow Jesus’ example of reaching out and accepting the “blatant sinner”, the rejected, the marginalized. We feel “nice” and “good.”
But Jesus loves Simon too.
Jesus is being kind to Simon as well as to the woman.
Jesus is offering Simon another way to see himself. Jesus invites Simon to see himself with God’s eyes and to move toward a life of loving God more.
We are not told how Simon responded. Luke does not reveal the rest of the conversation around the table. Simon may have had his eyes opened and received Jesus’ story as a path to peace with God. Simon may have rejected Jesus words and stayed in his own self-righteousness, condemning the woman, and thinking more highly of himself than he ought.
Consider:
Are we willing to follow Jesus’ example and speak to those who are self-righteous in heart, rude to us, and rejecting of others?
Can we be kind and cunning in the power of the Holy Spirit to tell stories and ask questions that give people like Simon a chance to repent and find peace as well?
Even as we acknowledge others’ sins, can we offer Jesus’ love and forgiveness to them? Can we hear Jesus gently showing us our failures, sins, and lack?
Remember:
Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
From Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus
When you hear these lyrics, be reminded of the Simons around you and the Simon-part of your own heart. Jesus offers repentance and peace to Simons as well.
Share:
What do you think Simon did?
Where do you long for freedom and release this season?
What fears are you bringing to Jesus in exchange for His peace?