Wrapping Paper
“If this man were a prophet he would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Luke 7:39 NASB
Prophet – Is someone in your family named Simon? He’s the one who judges people by their wrapping. What’s on the outside. What you see about someone. Simon is the one who decided that Yeshua couldn’t be a prophet because Yeshua associated with the wrong kind of people. No prophet would do that.
To understand Simon’s point of view we must first eliminate our cultural idea of prophet. These days we think of a prophet as someone who foretells. Our definition of prophecy has the same misunderstanding. We have crystal-ball envy. But that wasn’t true in Simon’s day. A prophet (Hebrew navi, Greek prophetes) wasn’t a fortune-teller. He was a messenger from God. Most of the messages of a prophet had nothing to do with the future. That means Simon didn’t expect Yeshua to make pronouncements about the future. He expected Yeshua to act like a holy man, to be God’s mouthpiece. The problem, of course, is that Yeshua associated with wicked people and no holy man, according to Simon, would dare defile himself in such a way. So the evidence was clear. Yeshua couldn’t be a prophet. He didn’t meet Simon’s expectations.
Why did Simon decide that Yeshua was acting inappropriately? After all, Yeshua didn’t actually do anything? But he did allow the woman to do something. Passive acceptance was enough for Simon to conclude that Yeshua wasn’t godly. This woman touched his feet (a potentially erotic gesture in those days). She let down her hair (the equivalent of bearing her breasts). She put herself in a submissive position before a strange man (a posture with sexual innuendo). And Yeshua allowed her to do so. He didn’t reject her. He didn’t rebuke her. He wasn’t offended.
But Simon was. In fact, as host of the dinner, it was Simon’s responsibility to protect the honor and dignity of his guest. Even if Yeshua didn’t stop this woman, Simon should have. The fact that Simon didn’t act on Yeshua’s behalf is Luke’s way of saying that Simon is the one who breaks protocol, who acts without honor and who is ultimately culpable for this scene. He could have prevented it. He didn’t.
Luke’s story gives us a chance to reflect on our own hypocrisy. Far too often we do nothing to protect our “guests,” those for whom we are socially responsible while, at the same time, we pass judgment on them and their associates. We are the ones who judge the book by the cover but blame the judgment on the one holding the book. Why are we so susceptible to this hypocrisy? Because we don’t see with the eyes of a prophet. We don’t see the world as God sees it. We judge without compassion, without mercy, without justice. In the end, it is so much easier to be Simon or his cousin. Yeshua’s family often appears at odds with the proper expectations. Yeshua’s family isn’t “proper.”
The real question is this: Are you willing to be judged inappropriate because you see the world with the eyes of a prophet, a messenger of God’s word?
Topical Index: prophet, hypocrisy, Luke 7:39
Don’t you find this to be a bit humorous? “If this Man were a Prophet..” How about Prophet, Priest and King?
Yes, (Hallelujah), Yeshua knew exactly who ‘this woman’ was.. and He knew exactly what her deepest needs were and without wasting time nor words went straight to the heart of the matter which was indeed, a matter of the heart.
And then He said unto her.. “Woman, if you only knew..” Selah. Now Carl, Skip, Bryan, Mary, Jan, Michael, -” If you only knew..”
carl, if we only knew what – what HE/JESUS knew/knows about each & every one of us. all the people (wicked or sick – since HE came for only the sick the Scriptures say) – we are astonished at what HE knew about them – He told them exactly what they were doing & the sin they were in & He didn’t leave it there either – He told them how to get out of the sin situation & GO & SIN NO MORE… REPENT/TURN AWAY/DON’T DO IT ANYMORE…
WHY IS IT THAT PART OF “GO & SIN NOW MORE” IS NEVER DISCUSSED OR SPOKE OF WHEN IT COMES TO HIS “ASSOCIATION” WITH THE WICKED & SINFUL/SINNERS – WHY IS IT THAT IT IS ALWAYS HE RAN AROUND WITH THEM – HE WAS IN THEIR CIRCLES, THEIR GANGS, THEIR TEAMS, THEIR ASSOCIATIONS WHEN HE WAS NOT – YES, HE RUBBED ELBOWS WITH THEM JUST AS WE DO – BUT WE DON’T RUN AROUND WITH THEM – I DON’T NEED ANY MORE TEMPTATION THAN I ALREADY HAVE TO ENDURE FROM JUST LIVING IN THIS WORLD – WHAT HAPPENED TO BEING SET APART FROM THE WORLD & THIS PLACE IS NOT MY HOME & I DON’T WANT IT BE – MY CITIZENSHIP DOES NOT RESIDE HERE – IT IS SEATED IN HEAVENLY PLACES WITH HIM – WE ARE BUT PILGRIMS/SOJOURNERS HERE ON THIS WICKED & UNGODLY EARTH – THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN US NOT RULING & REIGNING HERE ON THIS EARTH.
YES, IF WE ONLY KNEW THE TRUTH & PRACTICED IT – HE WOULD BE PLEASED… ♥
~ For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost ~ (Luke 19.10)
~ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all ~ (Isaiah 53.6)
~ For G-d did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him ~ (John 3.17)
~ Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy; (Psalm 107.2)
YES, CARL – I SAY THESE SCRIPTURES ARE THE RUDIMENTARY OF THE FAITH – THE FOUNDATIONAL TRUTHS FOR SURE BUT ISN’T THERE SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GO BESIDES HERE – ISN’T THERE SOMETHING MORE OF MEAT THAN THESE – THE TORAH TO LIVE BY & KEEP THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE WRITTEN ON OUR HEARTS THEREFORE WE ARE DIFFERENT, WE ACT DIFFERENT & WE LOOK DIFFERENT – WE ARE SET APART FROM THE WORLD – WE DON’T KEEP TRYING TO LOOK LIKE THE WORLD TO BE ACCEPTED – THAT IS NOT WHAT GOD/JESUS WANTS FROM US.. BUT THAT IS WHAT THE CHURCH IS TEACHING…
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO SANCTIFICATION – LIVING OUT THE CHASTE & PRUDENCE OF THE LIFE OF HOLINESS, PURITY & MODESTY???
~ For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost ~ (Luke 19.10)
~ All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all ~ (Isaiah 53.6)
~ For G-d did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him ~ (John 3.17)
~ Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy; (Psalm 107.2)
I THINK PEOPLE THAT DO JUDGE THE WORLD APPROPRIATELY WITH THE EYES OF A PROPHET ARE JUDGED INAPPROPRIATE & NOT CONSIDERED AS MESSENGERS OF GOD’S WORD…
The real question is this: Are you willing to be judged inappropriate because you see the world with the eyes of a prophet, a messenger of God’s word?
IN REGARD TO THE LAW/TORAH – WHAT WAS BEING DONE TO JESUS BY THE WOMAN WAS WRONG & UNLAWFUL – THAT IS OKAY BECAUSE IF JESUS KNEW/SAW THE PURITY WITHIN THE WOMAN & HER PASSIONATE LOVE FOR HIM (NOT HERSELF WHICH IS WHERE A LOT OF THIS GETS REALLY MESSED UP) & HE/JESUS ALLOWED HER ACTIONS/HER DEMONSTRATION OF LOVE THEN SO BE IT. BUT ACCORDING TO THE LAW BY ALL APPEARANCE IT WAS NOT APPROPRIATE OR LAWFUL (OR EVIL) & THAT IS OKAY TOO.
“Far too often we do nothing to protect our “guests,” those for whom we are socially responsible while, at the same time, we pass judgment on them and their associates. We are the ones who judge the book by the cover but blame the judgment on the one holding the book. Why are we so susceptible to this hypocrisy? Because we don’t see with the eyes of a prophet. We don’t see the world as God sees it. We judge without compassion, without mercy, without justice. In the end, it is so much easier to be Simon or his cousin. Yeshua’s family often appears at odds with the proper expectations. Yeshua’s family isn’t “proper.””
SOMETIMES WE & OTHERS DO SEE WITH THE EYES OF A/THE PROPHET & WE DO SEE THE WORLD AS GOD SEES IT. WE DO JUDGE WITH COMPASSION, WITH MERCY, WITH JUSTICE. AND YES, JESUS’ FAMILY IS AT ODDS WITH THE “PROPER/POLITICALLY CORRECT” EXPECTATIONS OF THE WORLD. JESUS’ FAMILY IS “PROPER” & WILL PREVAIL… ♥
THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER ACCOUNTS/STORIES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT THAT FAR OUTWEIGH THE EROTICISM IN THIS ACCOUNT OF SIMON, THE WOMAN & JESUS – SO WAS SIMON AIDING & ABETTING WHAT JESUS WAS ALLOWING – BOY WE CAN GET SO TANGLED IN THE LAW NOW CAN’T WE – JESUS WAS ON THE DOWN HILL SLIDE & WE ALL KNOW IT – THIS STORY IS NOT ABOUT WHAT WAS LAWFUL & WHAT WAS NOT – THIS STORY IS ABOUT HOW GOD SET UP HIS OWN SON TO DIE FOR OUR SINS TO FURTHER APPROPRIATE THE LAW – JUST FORGET WHAT WAS & IS NOT APPROPRIATE IN THIS ACCOUNT/STORY & SEE IT FOR WHAT IT IS & THAT WAS THE ROAD TO OUR REDEMPTION COVERED WITH HIS *RIGHTEOUS* BLOOD SO THE DISCREPANCIES OF THE LAW CAN COME TO FRUITION WITH GRACE TO EMPOWER THOSE TO FOLLOW & KEEP IT – IT IS NOT ABOUT IF SIMON WAS A hypocrite – IT WAS A DEMONSTRATION OF LOVE NOT TO BE HAGGLED OVER – IT WAS ONE OF MANY INSTANCES THAT HAD TO HAPPEN TO GET JESUS TO THE CROSS – IT IS A PART OF A STORY WE LOVE TO TELL NOT GET HUNG UP ON & PICK OUT HYPOCRISY BECAUSE SOMEONES TOES GOT STEPPED ON – WHEN IT COMES TO JESUS – THERE WILL ALWAYS BE OFFENSE…
Why did Simon decide that Yeshua was acting inappropriately? After all, Yeshua didn’t actually do anything? But he did allow the woman to do something. Passive acceptance was enough for Simon to conclude that Yeshua wasn’t godly. This woman touched his feet (a potentially erotic gesture in those days). She let down her hair (the equivalent of bearing her breasts). She put herself in a submissive position before a strange man (a posture with sexual innuendo). And Yeshua allowed her to do so. He didn’t reject her. He didn’t rebuke her. He wasn’t offended.
I see here another amazing example of God touching men at their deepest point of need. If we just focus on Simon or the woman independently, we miss it. Sure, she needed forgiveness for her many sins, but so did Simon. The womans sins were obvious, Jesus was making Simons obvious. (at least to him, and maybe to some others)
It always amazes me to see The Messiah reach out and touch a person right where they are at, be it Peter sinking, a shrivled man or a prostitute and a pharisee together. Should we do any different. Paul didn’t seem to think so, to the Jew I became as a Jew……to win them.
Judgement of actions, yes we are to judge those as lawful or lawless, to judge one unworthy of the kingdom, I think I’ll leave that decision to Yeshua.
–to judge one unworthy of the kingdom, I think I’ll leave that decision to Yeshua–
So will I, Robert, so will I.
There is only ONE righteous Man, ever to have lived. He was in all points tempted as we are, yet He (only) was the ONE without sin. He never transgressed the Law. This is why He could be the sinless sacrifice and met all the requirements of perfection the Law demanded.
Christ will be the Judge. We all (the scriptures tell) will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. And again (according to G-d’s word) -every one of us (both Jew and non) will give account of himself (or herself) to G-d. There will be a day of reckoning, but G-d only is the Judge.
We have been instructed (we do pay attention to His instructions- right?) to let or allow the wheat and the tares to grow together. It takes a discriminating trained eye to tell wheat from a tare, but even so- our instructions are to let them grow together.
Gasp!- There are hypocrites in the church! News! News!- (does this ever grow old..)- how about that- there are pretenders within the house of the LORD. I say wonderful.- Why?
Gum wrappers are not counterfeited. Why? -Because they have no worth. ONLY what has value is worthy of being counterfeited. Counterfeit Christians only prove the “worth” of the real thing. So let them grow together. And let the Master Gardner “weed” them out. Our Father is well aware of those who belong to Him and of those who do not. Either we is in or we is not -“in Christ.” -If any man, (anywhere, and at any time) is “in Christ”- this should be our concern and this should be our intensified focus.
Are we or are we not- right here, right now- “in Christ?” If so,- then we should rejoice evermore!
~ But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world ~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTDajMfEP5M
Our salvation (or deliverance) is in itself a trilogy or has three parts.
We have been saved from the penalty of sin. The wages of sin is death (or separation).
We are being saved from the power (or authority) of sin. Sin shall have no more dominion (or authority) over us. We are totally free to say “no” to this and to say “Yes” to something-or Someone far better.. -the Law of the LORD. This is the process of sanctification. (where we are today) The Law of the LORD is perfect- converting the soul, freeing the mind, giving health to our bodies-stabilizing our emotions, renewing our relationships- giving us a freedom and a joy never known “before” Christ.
-Did I have a “good time” last night? I was so drunk -I can’t even remember!- (This is “fun?”) No, this is poisoning our own brain cells- a form of insanity indeed. Sin is stupid.
Friends, G-d’s Law, G-d’s instructions are this: “Don’t do this”- (don’t hurt yourself) and “Do this”- (Help yourself to happiness)- Be (and stay) blessed. “Blessed is the man”- is no form of misery.
And one day (soon I hope!) We will be saved (or delivered) from the presence of sin. Heaven is a “sin-free” zone. Yes, sister Jan- I agree- “deliver us from evil” is a wonderful prayer. I too, “hate” sin. In every form or fashion- I hate sin. I do not want to sin or be around it. It is disgusting, putrid and ugly. –
G-d knew the heart of this dear lady and I fully expect to meet and greet her when I arrive on the other side of the death’s door. She will share how Yeshua delivered her and I will also share with her my story and song of deliverance- how Jesus ransomed-rescued-redeemed me.
What is the difference between a sinner and a saint? -Come to Christ, kneel at His cross,
– and find out for yourself. We will never be the same- for if “any man” be in Christ- he (or she) is a new creation- Old things are passed away and all things are being made new.. A new attitude? Altogether Yes. A new outlook? Altogether Yes. A new relationship? Altogether Yes.- Shall we go on? – Is there more? Altogether Yes, amen. (it is so).