Today you should read: Luke 7:40-50
If you’d like to learn a lesson about worship, watch a dog. Dogs can teach you a lot of theology if you pay attention. Our dog Tucker teaches me a lot. When I walk in the door, it’s like he won the lottery. Every moment I’m at the house, he wants to be near me. When I sit at the computer and write, he’s often curled up under the desk warming my feet. Although he acts disobediently at times, I have no doubt that if he could read my mind, he would do anything in his power to make me happy all the time. That’s worship!
Our passage today has Jesus reclining in the home of a Pharisee, Simon. As Jesus is at the table a very odd thing happens, a lady of ill repute comes and sits a Jesus’ feet. Not only that, but with her tears she wet his feet and began wiping them with her hair. She then anointed his feet with very expensive perfume while kissing them.
In verse 39, the Pharisee, Simon, says to himself, “If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner.”
Due to a lack of indoor plumbing, ancient city streets were disgusting. Mud, muck, and garbage would have been unavoidable as you walked around. Frankly, even today I wouldn’t willingly kiss somebody’s feet—even with adequate hygiene and foot protection. Can you imagine kissing the feet of somebody who’s been traipsing around in excrement wearing thong sandals?
Simon had pride in his religion and had no idea of his need for a Savior. Although, according to the parable, his debt was less, we understand that any sin debt is infinite and unpayable. Only Jesus can pay that debt. When we understand that at our core, all of us would fall at the feet of our Savior and worship him, never wanting him out of our presence.
In what ways have you acted like Simon the Pharisee as you watch people worship? Have you ever seen somebody in church that you thought didn’t belong? How could you live the heart of God toward that person the next time you see someone like that?
By: Tyler Short — Connections Ministry Associate
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