The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-06-21

Jesus had accepted an invitation Ia
visit the home of the a~ristocrat simon
but instead Of being treated with
courtesy he is Inundated by studted
neglect and insult. There was ona
however, who fully appreciated IA,
real worth. a woman Of the street who
had doubtless seer him enter or elsa
observed him at meat through TIA
open doorway, Knowing him Is ona
thing, but to love him Is quite an.
other. Do not confound this woman
with Mary Magdalene, there is no con.
nection at all. Jesus always drew to
himself the sinful ones; it was for
that purpose he came into the world.
to bear Jul sins Matt. 1:21; lisa
$3.50. This woman was, however. a
sinner who no longer ran after her
sin, but m who was repentant. This
Is shown by % her sorrow tween.
ing); (2) her humble service (wiping
his feet), and (3) her gift Of love (the
alabaster box), this latter having IN.
doubtedly been an accessory of her
life of sin, but now devoted to a more
noble use. AS the odor filled the
house the self-satistled Pharisee snake
within himself" but he who discern,
eth the thoughts and intents Of the
heart knew not only how great a Gin.
ner she had been, but knew also the
cloak of self-righteousnes worn BY
Simon. Her purity and holiness had
been shattered like the aiabaster box
and Jesus proceeds to shatter Simon's
shell of self complacency by putting
forth one of his matchless parallels,
Jesus Speaks to Simon.
A certain creditor, undoubtedly
meaning himself, had two debtors, By
inference this woman and this Phar.
see. Both alike were bankrupt, ore
owed about $3.50 and the other ten
times as much, about s85. Both
alike, however, received forgiveness,
"Tell me-" says the Master, which
debtor will love most?" The Phari.
sees reply was the logical one; they
both depend upon the mercy Of the
creditor, hence the gratitude will be
in ratio to the amount forgiven. Much
had been required, hence much for.
given. Jesus Immediately turns the
Pharisee's answer to a practical applt.
cation. Taking the words out Of
Simon's mouth he makes one Of the
most complete and practical applica
tons Of applied Christianity in the
gospel record. To paraphrase Jesus
says: "Simon, | came into your house
and the most common courtesy Of
washing a guests feet you neglected.,
yet this woman has washed my feet
with her tears, an evidence Of her re-
pentance, while you sit there with dry
eyed cynicigm. She has wiped my
feet with the hairs Of her head, her
glory and crown has been laid at my
feet while you have not so much as
offered me a towel to wipe the dust
off my feet as / left my sandals at
your door. Simon you gave me no
kiss, that common mark of a courteous
welcome, yet this woman has not
ceased to kiss my feet since the time
I came into your house. The annoint
ing oil, common olive oil, you neglect
ed to use, yet the precious oil Of her
treasure she has thankfully poured
upon my feet. Simon, your life Is a
life of works so are these acts OF this
woman, but your life Is one Of zeal
while her acts have been prompted
by love-
In another place Jesus tells us that
II we love him we will do the things
he commands us and that he and the
Father will come and abide with Us.
Hers was the heroic love of one VINO
having lost her shame dared to thrust
herself into an unbidden house OF re
freshment and perform those neglect
ed mental duties, the result of which
was that reward for her faith tha'
meant forgiveness of her sins. BY
her attention to these duties she was
unconsciously %rebuking the vanity d
Simon's self merit while at the same
time she was showing to the world q
fine example Of the gratitude OF
saved one. Paul later expressed u
most fo%rcefully In the fourth chapter
of his letter to the Romans. The man
who works has not a reward OF grace
but of debt, but he that believeth IS
Justified, his faith being counted fd
righteousness.
The Great Creditor.
This woman knew she had no nerl'
OF her own and hence she threw her
self at the feet of Jesus, claimed ns
righteousness and compassion and y
the same time by her acts she shoWeo
the attitude Of her heart and Of course
she had the desire of her heart, u
has always been so for has not INC
Master said, Happy are they VINO
hunger and thirst after Righteousness
for they shall be fed?"
After this practical sermon OF aP
piled Christianity" to Simon, Jesus
turns to the woman, nameless so faf
as the Scripture record is concerned,
and with infinite and a heavenly thriD
In his voice he said. "Thy faith hatn
saved thee, go In peace" who is ths
creator" they asked.
Jesus teaches us that though theirs
be degrees of guilt, all alike mus
come to God for forgiveness. Also
that he, the Great Creator, is the ons
to whom we owe our debt OF sins an
who alone can without merit ds
charge that debt and send us forth y
peace.