What Was Jesus Looking For? (Part 1)
by Philip Asselin
The full story is found in Luke 7:36-50 with the title, ‘Jesus anointed by a sinful woman’. As I studied it I found that, as is often the case, there are so many deep truths contained here. I found myself asking the question, what was Jesus looking for when he visited the house of Simon the Pharisee?
Up until verse 44 we would have assumed that Jesus was treated as any normal guest would have been in the society of that day. But it seems He wasn’t. Jesus uses the woman’s extravagant acts of love to highlight Simon’s failings as a host: no water provided to wash His feet; no towel; no kiss of greeting; no oil for His head to bring coolness after the heat of the day. Jesus was invited as a guest, yet treated as a stranger.
It’s as if Simon regarded his dinner invitation to his house as doing Jesus a great honour. Perhaps he was emphasizing just how powerful he was and that Jesus should be grateful. Little did he know that his guest that evening was the Messiah, the Lord Almighty Himself. Wouldn’t that knowledge have changed things just a bit; the best of everything for the King of kings. But for the Rabbi with unconventional teaching, let’s not put ourselves out too much!
What about us? We who own the name ‘Christians’ have invited the King of kings into our lives, and He has willingly entered. How welcome do we make Him? Do we treat Him as He deserves? Do we give Him the best seat in our homes and lives, and treat Him with honour, respect, love and reverence? Or do we behave as if we’re doing Him a favour? I believe Jesus was looking for the honour due Him by Simon the Pharisee, but it was sadly lacking. Yet He did find it in abundance from the very person that Simon despised.
Prayer: Dear Lord. I’m truly sorry for the times I’ve treated You as a stranger living within me; dragged You along to places I shouldn’t; made You listen to conversations that are unworthy of You; failed to give You the honour, respect and love that is the very least You deserve. Please forgive me for my unwelcoming behaviour, and help me to remember just who it is who dwells within me. Amen.
Philip Asselin Philip is on the associate ministry and teaching teams with Glyndley Manor. He and his wife Gillian attended the second Healing Retreat at Glyndley Manor in 1992, and were greatly helped. They have two grown up children, one grandson, and a step-granddaughter in California, and a daughter and granddaughter in Eastbourne. His desire is to see people healed and set free to serve God.
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