JESUS’ WELCOME, A WOMAN’S TEARS

Written by Julie Esposito, Group Sales, YMCA of the Rockies, Colorado

It was a freezing grey morning at the Mount of Olives, the sky full of drizzling rain.

Overlooking the Old City of Jerusalem, squinting against the icy wind, we could see rows of tombs of the hopeful and privileged.

I had always pictured Israel as a warm, dry place where people could walk comfortably in their bare feet!

What was the weather like when Simon the Pharisee invited Jesus to his house for dinner?

A “sinful” woman had made her way to his house as well, maybe to escape the rain and maybe because she had heard Jesus would be there.

Who was she, and what kind of grey circumstances did she face? Maybe she had low self-esteem and felt trapped in a lifestyle not of her choosing?

She was obviously drawn to Jesus, believing he was accepting, authentic and could help redeem her from a rock-bottom lifestyle and icy social standing.

Her attitude to Jesus contrasted that of the privileged Pharisee – she was a contrite outcast, humble yet bold. Still, the host was distant and judgmental, coldly dismissive of her and the warm attention she paid to his holy guest.

Jesus pointed out the differences between the woman and the Pharisee, who did not extend the expected basic hospitality - people DID walk in their bare feet, and it was polite to offer a way to wash up.

But the woman, however, couldn’t stop filling the void of the Pharisee’s hospitality with what she had immediately on her – her own unexpected tears.

The reason for the difference? Jesus explained that since the woman had been forgiven so much, she would be eternally grateful.

Have there been times when you felt like an outcast? Have you ever been the one to judge?

Have there been times when you coldly resisted welcoming people in your community who were different than you, who you considered to be a threat or an outcast?

What would you have felt if you were at the table with Jesus? Tears of your own?

Whether it’s in your church, YMCA, or neighborhood, let your tears of gratitude shower peace and hospitality on those God unexpectedly brings near to you.

Pray with me:

Lord, accept us at your feet when we are at our breaking point, and help us to extend compassion to those we may see as too sinful or different than us.