Across the Pastor’s Desk by Todd Walsh

 

I work with some of the best theologians in the world. They are the good people who come to our Bible studies at Thorne Crest.

One of the great things about Bible studies at Thorne Crest is that those who attend are from different church and spiritual backgrounds. You can see that reflected in the perspectives shared when talking about how a Bible passage or story speaks to each individual. We see one of the wonders of how the Bible speaks to us and to our lives.

The day I wrote this, we looked at the story of the sinful woman Jesus forgives from Luke 7.36-50.  Our group quickly came to the conclusion that this story is deep. It portrays a scene from 2,000 years ago in a land far from here, but we found it also to be our story and the story of the life Jesus brings those who encounter him today.

Allow me to shorthand the passage. A religious leader named Simon invites Jesus to his home for a meal. A woman described as a sinner interrupts and lavishes Jesus with emotional adoration that includes washing his feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair. Simon thinks ill of Jesus for allowing this sinner to behave in such a manner. Jesus knows what Simon is thinking and quizzes him about forgiving little and forgiving much. Simon gets the question right but his answer reveals that Simon does not practice what he preaches. Jesus instead criticizes Simon for his own lack of welcome rather than the woman’s over-the-top gesture. Jesus then ups the ante by announcing that the woman’s sins are forgiven. Simon’s guests question how it is that Jesus can forgive sins. The story ends with Jesus not backing down and announcing to the woman, “Your faith has saved you.  Go in peace.”           

It may be unfortunate that the sinner in the story is a woman, but I think that detail is an admission that women of that age were second-class citizens. It is instructive that all four gospels of the New Testament record that it is the women who are the first witnesses to the resurrection. The men who supposedly have the power and have it all together are nowhere to be found. It is the women who are the first witnesses to new life risen in their midst. The message then and now is clear and it is clear we still have work to do in our age regarding equal rights for women.

One peculiarity of the story is that one of the three main characters, the sinful woman, is not named. We obviously know Jesus’ name as one of the three characters, and we even get the name of the Pharisee; that is rare. His name is Simon. But the identity of the woman is unknown. Our group quickly came to the conclusion that her lack of a name makes her representative of all of us.

We all find life in our encounter with Jesus. He restores us. He forgives us. He gives us new life. He empowers us to share that new life. Jesus’ final words to the woman are words for all of us: “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Our group also noticed something else that takes some courage to name.

Simon the Pharisee is apparently impressed enough with Jesus to invite him into his home for a meal.  Simon is willing to listen to Jesus as long as he hears what he wants to hear, but the arrival of the sinful woman reveals Simon’s mindset. Simon believes he is in with God and the woman is out with God, and Simon doubts Jesus when Jesus welcomes the sinful woman. Simon expects Jesus to turn on her, reject her and condemn her. That does not happen.

Jesus instead extends his welcome to new life.   It becomes clear that new life means we are willing to be challenged in how we see and live life and how we live with others. We certainly like to hear messages of comfort, but messages that challenge us can change us and change our lives for the better.

What is the nature of the new life Jesus is revealing? Simon’s world is one where some are in and others are out. This passage makes clear that Jesus does not accept that world and is among us to reveal its folly and ignorance. Jesus reveals a world of reconciliation and new life where the potential God gives to people is turned loose.

Our group quickly applied this passage to churches today. Are churches today looking for people who are going to be just like all the other members and fit in, or are churches open to being challenged and finding new life? Our group agreed there is work to be done.

Allow me to conclude with words from just a few days ago in this country. I find them to be a remarkable commentary on this passage and our times. The words come from Megan Rapinoe; she is the captain of the FIFA Women’s World Cup champion U.S. women’s national soccer team. She spoke these words at the team’s victory parade in New York City on July 10.

“This is my charge to everyone. We have to be better. We have to love more. Hate less. We got to listen more and talk less. We got to know that this is everybody’s responsibility. Every single person here. Every single person’s who’s not here. Every single person who doesn’t want to be here. Every single person who agrees and doesn’t agree. It’s our responsibility to make this world a better place. I think this team does an incredible job of taking that on our shoulders and understanding the position that we have and the platform that we have within this world. Yes, we play sports. Yes, we play soccer. Yes, we’re female athletes. But we’re so much more than that. You’re so much more than that.”

Todd Walsh is director of spiritual care services at Thorne Crest Senior Living Community in Albert Lea.