Sunday June 12th, 2016 4th Sunday after Pentecost Luke 7:36-8:3
"If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him?" (verse 39)
If we only knew what people were really like. If we only knew what they were really thinking as we sit across the table from them. If we only knew what went on behind the doors of our neighbours’ homes. If only.
I, for one, am glad people don’t know. I have to admit there are times when my mind is a hundred miles away from the conversation that I am in. There are times when I make a snap judgment about someone which taints every encounter I have with that person, even after it has been proven wrong.
Simon thought he knew the woman who came into his private dinner party and showered some rather embarrassing attention on Jesus. She was a sinner, that’s sure. And that was enough for him. But he was wrong.
Simon thought he knew himself very well, too. A righteous man, a man above cavorting with sinners. But he was wrong.
Jesus knew. He knew the woman’s contrite, loving heart. He knew Simon’s hard, unrepentant heart.
Jesus knows us, too, and he praises or corrects as necessary.
All knowing Lord, search my heart. Cleanse me. Redeem me. Make me whole. Amen. — DAB
Contributed by If We Only Knew
If we only knew what people were really like. If we only knew what they were really thinking as we sit across the table from them. If we only knew what went on behind the doors of our neighbours' homes. If only.
I, for one, am glad people don't know. I have to admit there are times when my mind is a hundred miles away from the conversation that I am in. There are times when I make a snap judgment about someone which taints every encounter I have with that person, even after it has been proven wrong.
Simon thought he knew the woman who came into his private dinner party and showered some rather embarrassing attention on Jesus. She was a sinner, that's sure. And that was enough for him. But he was wrong.
Simon thought he knew himself very well, too. A righteous man, a man above cavorting with sinners. But he was wrong.
Jesus knew. He knew the woman's contrite, loving heart. He knew Simon's hard, unrepentant heart.
Jesus knows us, too, and he praises or corrects as necessary.
