Luke 7:36-50  "Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to dine with him."   Jesus accepted this invitation. We learn that this Pharisee's name was Simon.  His motive for inviting Jesus to dinner seems to be a bit of a mixture.. perhaps curiosity.. or trickery.. or maybe a genuine desire to get to know Him. 

Simon acknowledged  that Jesus was a teacher. But, he drew his own conclusion that Jesus could not be a prophet because He allowed the "sinner" to touch Him.  It may have been Simon who wanted to test Jesus.. but it ended up being Jesus who tested Simon.  We do not find out whether or not Simon learned anything from this lesson. 

As soon as Jesus entered Simon's house there should have been someone to wash His feet.  He should have been greeted with a kiss... we have seen how that traditional greeting is given in Middle Eastern countries. He should have been anointed with oil.  But, none of that was offered.  Jesus was not honored as a guest should have been.  But, the unnamed woman came with an "alabaster vial of perfume."  She washed His feet with her tears and her hair. She kissed His feet and anointed them with her expensive perfume. She not only honored Jesus with her sacrifice and adoration, but she worshipped Him with all her heart.   

But.. Simon judged  her and Jesus in  one thought. 

Jesus didn't have to hear Simon's thoughts.. the look on his face was probably enough.. "Simon, I have something to say to you." Jesus said.  What a gentle approach.. no condemnation.. no anger.. no forceful response.. but a simple story.  "A certain moneylender had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii and the other fifty." Neither could  repay their loans and both were forgiven..." graciously".  "Which of them therefore will love him more?"  Simon knew the answer, but seems reluctant to say it.. "I suppose the one whom he forgave more."  Jesus agreed with Simon that this was truth. 

Then He compared Simon's actions.. failing the basic traditions of hospitality.. to the actions of the sinful woman... who poured out her tears and her perfume on Jesus' feet.  Which of these reveals love?  "For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little. "  Jesus forgives the woman for any and all of her sin.  He does not offer forgiveness to Simon.. for Simon does not ask for it.. doesn't believe he needs it.. and has no faith that Jesus had the authority to give it.  The woman's faith brought her salvation and peace.  I wonder whatever happened to Simon?

Father in heaven,  You are our Gracious God who has forgiven our every sin, our every debt, our every transgression.. cleansing us fully by the shed blood of Jesus Christ. We pour out our tears, our lives, our worship to You.. for we love You.  We desire to love You even more.. to not be blind like Simon was to the greatness of our debt that You have graciously forgiven. Thank You Jesus for Your forgiveness.. for this great salvation..  for Your love.. and for the peace that You have given to us. Lead us, Spirit of God, in the way we should go and guide us with Your eye. Fill us with the love of God and the steadfastness of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen