2/19/2017

We are going to have a little fun today and test your labeling ability……
How good are you at recognizing labels?

If you are similar to me you make judgments on the quality of the products based on their label.

Today’s scripture reading is about judging and labels. At least until Jesus speaks.

Simon is a Pharisee. A man who devotes himself to living a religious life and keeping the Jewish law. His faith traditions are very important to him. He invites Jesus to his home to dine with him. The text doesn’t give reason for him inviting Jesus to his home. Perhaps he wanted to hear Jesus , curious to what he was really like. It is also curious that although he invited him he did none of the customary acts of greetings and hospitality, providing water for his guests feet, greeting him with a kiss of peace, or anointing his head. Jesus was the Pharisee’s guests although how welcome he really was you wonder.

They were most likely eating in a open courtyard of the house and others would be able to observe or listen as Jesus spoke or taught. But the woman came forward, un-named, uninvited and wordless

She goes to Jesus feet and begin washing them with tears. Understand one would have been reclined at the table to eat and so Jesus feet would have been full accessible. Now she was a sinful woman—whatever that means, we are not sure. By touching Jesus and kissing his feet she made him “unclean”. She is weeping, washing his feet literally with tears, drying them with her hair. Then with ointment from an expensive jar she anoints his feet.

Simon struggles. He is a man of the Jewish law. Simon’s understanding is the righteousness of God means God cannot endure sinners, and a follower of God gains salvation by upholding the purity code. Simon distances himself from the woman and dismisses Jesus as a prophet because Jesus let this unclean woman touch him. He must not have been able to see into her heart as any prophet should. Simon thinks this to himself—does not say the thoughts aloud.

Let’s just do a stop action here and check out labels, or logos as you will. Like big recognizable signs on their chests. Simon-Pharisee, saved, clean Jesus-prophet clean, unclean, question mark Woman-sinner, unclean, not saved.

Now Jesus is in fact prophet and knows Siomon’s thoughts. He tells the story-the parable of two debters. One forgiven a smaller debt and then the other a much larger debt. Jesus asks which of the debtors would love the creditor more? Simon supposes the one who had the larger debt forgiven.

Simon soon realizes that this prophet knows the heart of the woman and the heart of the Pharisee.—he is a prophet.

And if it stopped there we would have a good story. Characters, action, mind-reading, some judgement and even a parable, a story in a story.

But this is a Jesus story. Jesus compares the woman with the man who had the larger debt forgiven. This woman is a hot mess Simon, she needs a lot of debt-her mess forgiven. Jesus, being Jesus, being beyond the prophet label, being the prophet/God’s Son/messiah takes the authority to forgive her sins.

Let’s talk about that. It is such a short, succinct statement, Your sins are forgiven. In the gospel of Luke this is big. Luke is all about God’s salvation NOW. Luke is the gospel that the birth narrative with the line, See-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people. ALL people-that is really captured with Luke. This woman is not simply forgiven. It is not a routine court proceeding, forgiven, bang the gavel, next. This is God’s generous intention to heal life restore relationships, and forgive the sinful.

Perhaps this woman “got it” before she even walked in. Maybe she knew se was in the “all’ from the good news of great joy for all people. Perhaps she knew Jesus was that good news and as she approached his feet she experienced the great joy and followed were the endless, silent tears.

This story is a story of hope. Luke in telling this story his emphasis is not on the Jewish laws of clean/right/good/ in /out. The story is about the interplay of love, dedication and forgiveness. Luke believes that God has that for us.

Back to logos. We like them they make identification easy. We say labels in the story. Labels are not just commercial logos. Nor can we simply insert them into a Bible story. We live labels every day-for good or for bad. Sunday morning labels-Church- goer, singer, pious, pray-er, glad hander, leader, follower. A few other labels-perhaps not always voiced—non-attender, sinner, slacker, hypocrite.

How many of you are label-ers? I sure am! It’s not my finest trait. But I have some Pharisee in me. I don’t say it but it’s up here clear as clear. I wonder, how many opportunities have I missed at proper hospitality because I was busy labeling. How many times do I concern myself with others sins and shortcomings when I should be minding my own. You with me here.

We are sin. We all fall short. But I love the idea of labels. So I have an idea—how about this week we try to use God’s labels. God’s labels!

The woman sinner/saved, loved
Pharisee could be child of god/loved

Other labels that God might have
Forgiven, gifted, talented, faithful, generous, hospitable, friend, prayer mate, dedicated.
Look at the person ahead of you, beside you. What logo would you make for their chest?

This story, text, reading is so extravagant! Tears, cleansing, love, devotion, hospitality forgiveness—it has it all! This story is an important one for Luke, God’s love and free forgiveness is central in Luke.

The next time you are surrounded by life, surrounded by labels. God might seem the creator of all things, creator of all labels. Read this story-This is a look into God’s very nature-love, forgiveness, salvation, grace. God has a new set of labels for you.

Dare I say—Just do it!