Do You See This Woman?

“Do you see this woman?”

I love this question.

Jesus is setting quite the scene. Context: Jesus is over at a Pharisees house for dinner and a prostitute has crashed the meal. Hysterical, she falls at Jesus’ feet and begins wiping them with her tears and hair. The Pharisee is fairly put off and annoyed at her intrusion. But then, Jesus turns, and postures his body physically towards the woman—as if to make it painfully obvious when he says, “do you see this woman?”

Simon—the Pharisee—can’t miss it! 

Simon, do you see her?

Simon, are you present?

Simon, are you curious to know what true love and sacrifice and devotion looks like?

Simon, I’ve been curious since the moment I’ve walked into this house tonight and here’s what I’ve gleaned…

I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:43-45).

I just imagine, at this moment, with Jesus turned physically towards her, that he gets down, gets eye level with this woman who’s on her knees, he grabs her hand, pushes back her wet hair, looks her in the eye and with a fullness of compassion says,

“Your sins are forgiven.”

This is a moment.

This is a curious case of compassion.

See, it is curiosity that opens the door for compassion to grow and fester within our souls. It’s then compassion that expands the bounds and limitations of what and who we deem and accept into the community of our lives. 

Do you see this woman? Do you see what she’s done tonight? Do you see how when I entered your house, you didn’t give me water for my feet but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair?

Do you see how conceited you are? Do you see how entitled you appear? Do you see how desperate this woman is? Do you see how much you’re taking me for granted? 

I wonder how often we find ourselves in the same exact position as Simon. Where every day, we pass by people and make snap judgements about others as we prod and pride ourselves that we’re not them. And the whole time we’re priding ourselves, Jesus is knocking on the door of our hearts saying, “do you not see it?”

Your conclusion has cut off your curiosity. 

Without curiosity, there’s no way to extend compassion and without compassion, your ability to commune with him or her has been stripped away. Relationship has been cut off. 

What a missed opportunity.

I love verse 49 because it says that,

The other guests who were present began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins? (Luke 7:49).

See, when Jesus makes himself known in your heart and your life, there’s no other response than to get curious. You start to see the beauty and pain in every life you come in contact with. You start to get interested in every story you intersect with. You start to grow compassion for the hurt and trials and brokenness and injustice and evil that others have had to endure.

“Without curiosity, there’s no way to extend compassion and without compassion, your ability to commune with him or her has been stripped away.”

My friends, when the true, genuine grace of God grips our hearts and souls, our natural response is to begin reaching out to anyone and everyone:

-       Have you heard the Good News?

-       Can I tell you about this man, Jesus, who literally saved my life?

-       Hey, what’s your story? 

-       Did you know that there’s hope for the pain, the doubt and the fear you’re feeling?

-       Do you know that there’s a God who loves you? Who actually has given you a renewed and restored identity?

-       Are you aware of what happens after you die? Can I tell you? 

Verse 50, Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:50).

A life of curiosity actually points every question to the same answer: peace.

The same answer that is faith, hope and love.

The same answer that is Jesus Christ—The Good Shepherd—The Prince of Peace—Himself.

Only the Prince of Peace could say, “go in peace” and allow that to be the conclusion of this woman’s story. We have to assume that she did just that. Her questions had been put to rest. Her curiosity had led her to the only answer that could satisfy, and it was Peace in the flesh. 

“A life of curiosity actually points every question to the same answer: peace.”

I love how Jesus communicates this in Matthew 11:28-30. This is the message version, check this out, he says,

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Do you need an answer?! Are you ready to be satisfied?!

Curious. Curious. Curious. 

Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

Oh, that’s so so good.

I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

This is the God that we serve. He’s the answer we’ve been looking for.

Be encouraged.