An Encounter with The Son of God (3)

Yesterday we left Mary Magdalene on her way home to Bethany to be with her sister Martha and brother Lazarus.

As she walked up the hill that was the approach to Bethany, she hears the lonely cry that was common in those days; a leper crying “Unclean, unclean.” She almost went by but recognized something. It was her uncle Simon who had led her into sin.  She pulled her shawl across her face and went into the village for a joyful reunion. Can you imagine the village gossip?

One day Jesus came up the same hill to Bethany. He heard the same cry, “Unclean, unclean.” It was hard for Jesus to pass by even when 9/10ths don’t bother to say thank you. Jesus touched Simon  and he was made well. He didn’t insist that he accept Him as saviour or the Messiah. He just healed him? Simon, the incestuous sinner (probably a pedophile in today’s language – the worst of criminals.) healed!

This would have been heavy for a pharisee who is used to earning rewards. He tries to pay Jesus back by inviting Him to a banquet. Unfortunately, you can’t pay for eternal life before or after the gift, but this is the mentality of a pharisee.

You know the story of what Mary did next. She sought to do it quietly but when she opened the alabaster box, the ointment screams. This was the proceeds (savings) from her former life. Simon is looking daggers and Judas is throwing up his hands at the waste (of money). She forgot a towel and so she lets down her hair (only a street women would do that) and wipes the ointment with her hair.

Simon thinks, “If He is a prophet He should know what she is. Jesus looked at Simon and said, “Simon,” at this point Simon was getting sweety palms, “Simon I have something to say to you.” Simon braced, expecting the mask to be torn from his face. Here was a man who reads thoughts, and he was prepared for the worst. But Jesus lifted him from the strife of accusing tongues. Like Nathan before David, he concealed His main thrust veiled in a parable.

Jesus  told the story of the two debtors (Luke 7). Nobody understood the story except Simon, Mary and Jesus. But Simon got the message and he pronounced his own sentence. It was here that Simon was overwhelmed by love and compassion, from a man who could have exposed him for what he really was, but instead veiled His message in a parable that protected him from his friends. Simon’s heart was broken. He accepted Jesus as master and saviour.

If Jesus could accept Simon and Mary what about you and I? I love the fact that the first one to see the resurrected Christ was Mary Magdalene, the sister of Martha and Lazarus. The first one to proclaim the resurrection was Mary. What an incredible testimony of God’s grace.

I have more stories of Jesus encounter with women, but you will need to come back tomorrow. Here are the Mary texts I promised, so you can put the jigsaw together for yourself.

Luke 7:36-50, Matt 26:6-13,Mark 14:1-9, *John 12:1-8, John11:1-2, John 8:1-11, John 20:3-18 Matt 21:17 also Luke 10:38-42 (Don’t let serving get in the way of sitting at the feet of Jesus.)