Jerusalem, Judah, and all Israel were abuzz with excitement about the amazing man from Nazareth named Jesus. Openly and publicly he was performing mighty miracles: healing the sick, casting out demons, even raising the dead! People were astounded at his profound teaching, which was, according to many who heard him, even superior to the revered Jewish rabbis. One of them, a Pharisee named Simon, decides to investigate, so he invites Jesus to his home for dinner. During the dinner, a woman enters the gathering completely unannounced. She was a woman with a sinful reputation in the community, looked down upon by others. But her heart had been transformed by the forgiving mercies of God through Jesus. In sincere, shameless gratitude, she pours expensive perfumed oil on Jesus’ feet, kissing them and washing them with her own hair. Self-righteous Simon has seen enough to satisfy his curiosity. If Jesus were genuine, Simon reasons, he would never allow such a sinful person even to touch him. Jesus points out Simon’s cruel, narrow hypocrisy in comparison to the woman’s deep gratitude and grateful love. In doing so, Jesus teaches a profound lesson about the measure of love: the one forgiven much loves much, and the one forgiven little loves little. How great is the measure of your love?
