Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - Mar/89

Contributor - Jim Girling

Title - Go In Peace

Topic - Meditation

Shalom - this was the Easter greeting of Jesus.

This term, coming to us from the Old Testament, expresses much more than our English word peace. It is a wish to someone for their total completeness and well being, in which nothing is lacking. A Holistic term.

This peace is a favoured theme in Luke and Acts.

In this story of the woman who washed and anointed the feet of Jesus, Luke reveals to us the way to Shalom. He shows this peace as the fruit of the faith, forgiveness and love of the woman. In this narration, Luke included a parable of two debtors which serves to interpret the event.

The woman is identified as a 'sinner' (RSV). In Aramaic, the language of Christ's day, the word used for 'sinner' was 'debtor'. Thus, the parable provides the connecting link between the event and the teaching of Jesus.

The scene opened at the home of a Pharisee. Guests had gathered in the open courtyard where a meal was about to be served. As custom was, the guests were not seated but reclined on couches near the table. Jesus was there, having been invited by Simon, a Pharisee. Luke does not tell us why Simon invited Jesus. Perhaps he was one of the Pharisees who sincerely admired Jesus, or he may have sought to impress his other guests with the presence of the popular itinerant rabbi. There is also the possibility that he wanted to provoke Jesus into an argument.

It was not unusual, when there was a visiting rabbi, for uninvited guests to come and listen to the conversation. During the meal, from among the onlookers, a woman came forward. She had come deliberately to see Jesus and went directly to the foot of his couch where she "waited behind him at his feet". As she stood there, she began to weep. When her tears fell unintentionally on his feet, she bent over and wiped them with her hair. Overwhelmed at the touch of that moment, she kissed his feet. She reached for the small vial of perfume that she, like other Jewish women, wore around her neck. Kneeling, she broke open the alabaster jar and proceeded to pour it on his feet, anointing them with its aromatic oil.

Who was this woman? Luke does not tell us precisely. We know that she had a "bad reputation", that she was a "sinner". Although it has been commonly assumed that she was a prostitute, some scholars suggest that she may have been the wife of an outcast, e.g., perhaps a hated publican.

Simon's inner response to the woman's naked actions was one of irritation. Jesus may have perceived a flash of doubt or scepticism in Simon's eyes.

Jesus spoke, "Simon, I have something to say to you."

He began to relate the story of the two debtors who were freed of their indebtedness. Then Jesus posed a question which forced Simon to reluctantly admit the fundamental truth that the more one is pardoned, the more grateful one is.

Jesus pressed Simon further. He demonstrated to Simon how an experience of being unconditionally forgiven can motivate a person to human acts of extraordinary love and generosity. Jesus took Simon's answer to his question, at the conclusion of the parable, and made a direct application to Simon himself. He drew a harsh comparison between Simon and the woman. Simon had neglected even the most elemental Eastern forms of etiquette. One absolutely never welcomed an invited guest without offering the courtesies of hospitality which included washing the dust from the traveler's feet, embracing the guest with a kiss, and anointing his head with oil.

These outward acts as functional had deep psychic roots. For a desert people, water was life, and the kiss was a sign of friendship and forgiveness. Perfumed oil was symbolic of healing and joy. Taken together, these beautiful acts formed a greeting and an experience of Shalom for all who entered as guest. Simon had seriously dishonoured his guest and his position as host.

On the other hand, the woman came freely and courageously to see Jesus. In His presence her inner gratitude and love for Him found expression in the tears that flowed from the deep sources of life and joy within her. Oblivious to those around her she, in a moment of serendipity, began to kiss the feet of Jesus repeatedly. Her love spilled over as she poured her fragrant oil on His feet.

Jesus called Simon to recognize that such a -free and total expression of love could only rise from a heart forgiven and overwhelmed with thankfulness.

Poor Simon! If he showed little love, it was because he had never known the depth of his own thirst and need to be forgiven. To the woman, Jesus said "Shalom and go in peace - your faith has saved you."

Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?

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