For the past couple of days, we’ve been reflecting on the gratitude of a sinful woman who had come to Jesus and been forgiven much. Along the way we mentioned a religious leader named Simon who was upset by things that happened at his dinner party.
In those days, in that culture, it was customary for the host to provide water and servants to wash the dusty feet of guests who came for dinner. This was a sign of respect and honour. In his self-righteous arrogance and pride, Simon had neglected to do this for Jesus and the other guests.
Then he [Jesus]turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” (Luke 7:43b-48 NIV)
The woman’s sins had been clearly visible to all in the community. Simon’s sins were no less than hers but they were hidden. One of the mistakes we sometimes make is assuming that when we are currently living in a socially acceptable way, then we are doing okay. The truth is, we need God as much today as we ever did. The sins of pride and greed and lust might come out a little differently than they did in active addiction, but they are still ugly and offensive.
In recovery, as in active addiction, we need to recognize these sinful ways in ourselves, acknowledge our powerlessness to fix ourselves, and come to God who has made a way for us through Jesus’ death on the cross. Jesus gave Simon a second chance that day to judge correctly. God is giving us another chance today to humbly acknowledge our shortcomings and ask Him to remove them.
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