THE Rev. John Paul, minister of St Aidan’s URC, comments on Luke 7: v36-38.

TODAY’S press would have had a field day with this potentially embarrassing situation that Jesus found himself in – a notorious prostitute acting in what appeared an inappropriate, shocking and sensuous way towards Jesus, touching him, kissing his feet and massaging them with perfume.

But Jesus was not embarrassed and didn’t push this sinful woman away with a sharp rebuke. He treated her differently.

While all inwardly criticised her, Jesus accepted the attention she lavished on him. He understood her heartfelt gratitude and love for the one who accepted her and offered her a way out of her sinful lifestyle.

And he also saw into the hearts of Simon and the other upright pillars of society who watched with pointing fingers, both at the woman and Jesus for their behaviour.

But remember, when you point a finger at another, there are two fingers pointing back at yourself. The outwardly respectable Simon needed forgiveness too!

It was Simon who was rebuked for his small-minded, bare minimum hospitality offered to Jesus.

And Jesus taught Simon the lesson the woman had already discovered – if you’ve been freed from a great debt, you’ll be full of gratitude. If you’ve recognised your sin and need of forgiveness, and met the Friend of Sinners, and been loved, accepted and forgiven, your joy, delight, gratitude and love of Jesus will overflow in the most exuberant ways.

You might even sing out, “Hallelujah! What a Saviour!”