2. Hospitality of Simon the Pharisee
Jesus being a very well known rabbi was often on the receiving end of hospitality from many of the people he met. Luke 7 tells us of a time when a Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to his home for dinner. Jesus went with Simon and after he arrived, Luke tells us “a woman in that town who lived a sinful life” went to Simon’s house with a jar of perfume. When Simon noticed the woman, Luke tells us Simon 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 then after telling a story, tells Simon that he did not offer water for Jesus’ feet, but the woman wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Simon did not kiss Jesus, yet the woman has not stopped kissing his feet. He did not put oil on Jesus’ head, but she poured perfume on Jesus’ feet. Jesus tells everyone that “her many sins have been forgiven as her great love has shown”. This of course shocks everyone but he tells the woman “your faith has saved you; go in peace”.
I could go off and talk about the forgiveness of sins, which in that day people believed only God Himself could do, but I want to focus on the hospitality Simon shows Jesus and the hospitality Simon withholds from Jesus.
In William Barclay’s commentary on the Gospel of Luke he says that “three things were always done. The host placed his hand on the guest’s shoulder and gave him the kiss of peace. That was a mark of respect which was never omitted in the case of a distinguished Rabbi. The roads were not only dust tracks, and shoes were merely soles held in place by straps across the foot. So always cool water was poured over the guest’s feet to cleanse and comfort them. Either a pinch of sweet-smelling incense was burned or a drop of attar of roses was placed on the guest’s head. These things good manners demanded, and in this case not one of them was done.”1
In the first post about Abraham’s hospitality, notice that Abraham had offered water to allow his visitors to wash their feet. Yet Jesus points out to Simon that he neglected this and the other actions Barclay says were mandatory. Yet these simple courtesies were carried out by a sinful woman. Did Jesus know who this woman was? I think v.47 makes that very clear: “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Life in the 21st century is very different. Many of us have shoes that cover our feet, hugs and kisses as a greeting are common but so is a handshake or in some cultures a bow. I’m not sure what to say about the act of putting perfume on a visitor, that does not seem to be important these days, and many people I know are sensitive to strong fragrances and putting perfume on them would actually be harmful. Still, there are what I would call common courtesies that we should offer others as a sign of our hospitality. We can offer our time. Taking time to be with someone can be a very powerful thing. It can help others realize they are valued and have worth. Yes we lead busy lives and it’s not always convenient, but to someone who is isolated, a few minutes can do so much good. Lend a hand if needed. I was recently in a store and someone was looking at an item on a shelf she could not reach, I stopped and asked her if she needed help, she smiled and told me what she wanted, I reached up and handed it to her. She thanked me and we both continued shopping. Clearly Simon did not think the woman mattered. She was very much beneath him. Jesus mattered, but the omission of the expected hospitable actions was more than likely a deliberate insult. Possibly a “you may be a rabbi liked by the people, but I’m a Pharisee and you’re not in my league” thing.
Lord Jesus, help us to see people as you do, that no one is more or less important than anyone else. Everyone deserves kindness, respect and love. Teach us to be more loving and kind to all your brothers and sisters. In your Holy name we pray. Amen.
1 “The Gospel of Luke Revised Edition” by William Barclay p.94
