I have something to say to you.

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One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

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There is not a more touching image of repentance in all of the bible than this one. The boldness of this woman.. someone known simply as "a sinner".. to come to Jesus with so many tears as to be able to cleanse his feet.. simply inspires me. I imagine she might have been crying with great sobs. Her repentance was great and her desire to know God even greater as she knelt kissing the feet of Christ and pouring the contents of the flask on them.

In the midst of this moving act the owner of the house, a Pharisee, reveals a chilling indifference and callousness that is not befitting a man of his calling. With disdain he looks down his nose at a hurting and repentant daughter of Israel. Small wonder that Jesus called such men hypocrites. Instead of weeping with this dear woman he chose to judge her. And in doing so he also judged the Lord. Sensing his reaction Jesus gets ready to call him out in rebuke.

Help me Lord to not marginalize others by calling them sinners. Help me to weep with those who weep.

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