Women of the Bible Part 22

The Woman Who Lived a Sinful Life.

Her Character: She was a notorious sinner, possibly a prost.i.tute or adulteress. Rather than trying to defend what was indefensible in her life, she admitted her sin and made a spectacle of herself in a pa.s.sionate display of love and grat.i.tude.

Her Sorrow: That she had offended G.o.d so grievously.

Her Joy: That Jesus forgave her sins and commended her for her great faith and love.

Key Scripture: Luke 7:36 - 50 Monday HER STORY.

The woman felt as though the world had unraveled in a moment's time. Doors had opened, walls had crumbled, thoughts of the future no longer frightened but thrilled her. She felt clean and whole, innocent as a girl still living in her father's house. Her heart was a wild confusion of sorrow and joy as she followed the rabbi through the doorway.

Ignoring the stares of the men, she walked over to the place where Jesus was reclining at a table. In her hands she held an alabaster jar of perfume. Her body trembled as she approached. She hardly knew what she was doing as she covered his feet with her kisses and then anointed them with the precious perfume, wiping his feet with her hair. How else could she express her heart to the man who had loved her so well?

Like any good Pharisee, Simon loved the law, measuring his days by the steady rhythm of the regulations by which he lived. They were a fence safeguarding his purity, protecting his sense of settled security. How good of the holy G.o.d to provide a map for the right eous, a way of life to set him apart from ordinary Jews-like the woman who had just walked through the door, hoping to glean a few sc.r.a.ps from his table.

Simon was surprised that a sinful woman, even a hungry one, would enter his house. But his surprise grew as he noticed she was not eating but weeping so profusely that her tears were spilling onto the feet of one of his guests. Everything about the scene repelled him, offending his sense of order-a notorious harlot kissing the man's feet, wiping them with her hair, and then pouring perfume over them. It was an astonis.h.i.+ng performance.

Even more astonis.h.i.+ng was the fact that his guest seemed to enjoy the attention. "If this man were a prophet," Simon thought, "he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is - that she is a sinner." All of his questions about Jesus were put to rest by the scene he had just witnessed. His ordered way of looking at the world was safe enough, bolstered by the judgment he had just made.

As though he had overheard Simon's secret thoughts,Jesus turned and spoke to him. "Simon, I have something to tell you.

"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."

"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? 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 - for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"

Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Though this woman was a notorious sinner, she recognized her great need for grace. Repentance turned her world on its head, opening up an entirely new view of things. Simon, by contrast, was a religious man who, no doubt, had done his best to live a respectable life. His sin was tucked away, hidden even from himself. His habit of judging others had formed a fence around his one-dimensional view of the universe, s.h.i.+elding his neat and orderly life from the unpredictable power of grace.

But Simon and the woman both owed a debt they could not possibly repay. Though Simon's sin was less obvious, it was the more dangerous. He was like a man who was following a map he was certain would lead to heaven-but when heaven came down and walked into his house, he didn't even know it. The woman, on the other hand, realized just how lost she had been. Forgiven much, she loved much. She found heaven at the feet of Jesus.

Tuesday HER LIFE AND TIMES.

WAs.h.i.+NG FEET.

The scene in this story is one of about thirteen instances in which Scripture talks about was.h.i.+ng one's feet. The sinful woman in this story did the act reserved for the lowest, most inexperienced servant of the household.

Most people in Palestine wore sandals or went barefoot, so their feet were constantly dirty from the dust of the roads and fields. When they went into a house, they removed their sandals at the door. A good host or hostess made sure guests' feet were washed as soon as they entered the home. A basin of cool water and a towel were the only equipment required. After walking on hot dusty roads, the foot was.h.i.+ng provided not only clean feet for entering a home but also a refres.h.i.+ng start to a visit.

When the three visitors came to Abraham when he was living "near the great trees of Mamre" (doesn't that sound like a wonderful place to live?), Abraham provided water for them to wash their feet (Genesis 18:1 - 5). Lot revealed the basic rules of Eastern hospitality when he invited the two angels into his home, telling them to "wash your feet and spend the night" (Genesis 19:1- 3). Laban provided water for all of those with Abraham's servant to wash their feet (Genesis 24:32). In Egypt, Joseph made sure his brothers had water to wash their feet after their long journey from Palestine (Genesis 43:24). The priests were told they must always wash their feet and hands before going into the temple (Exodus 30:19 - 21). Not surprisingly, the list of good deeds that New Testament widows should be known for included, along with raising children and showing hospitality, "was.h.i.+ng the feet of the saints" (1 Timothy 5:10).

The fact that foot was.h.i.+ng was a task reserved for the lowest servant in the household makes Jesus' act of was.h.i.+ng the disciples' feet (John 13) all the more poignant. His simple act shocked them and showed them in the clearest way possible how to be a servant leader. Was.h.i.+ng. Touching feet fouled by dust and grime. Kneeling before those who by rights should kneel before him!

Not always so easy, is it? Those unpleasant, humble tasks that require little expertise and gain little notice. Scrubbing the kitchen floor at church. Was.h.i.+ng the greasy hair of an elderly man who cannot do it for himself. Folding laundry. Tending sick children. What menial ch.o.r.e is on your list of things to do today? It's not the task itself that's important, it's what's in your heart while doing it. Will you accomplish it with thoughts that you were meant to do greater things? Or with a simple love for the one you serve?

Wednesday HER LEGACY IN SCRIPTURE.

Read Luke 7:36 - 50.

1. What did it cost this woman to do what she did?

2. What would need to happen for you to be this open in expressing your love for Jesus?

3. What do you think the woman was thinking while Jesus talked to Simon (verses 40 - 47)? What about when he talked to her (verses 48 - 50)?

4. How would you respond if a prost.i.tute entered your church or home Bible study and made a display like this?

5. In what ways can you be understanding and loving toward those whose lives have been shattered by sin, like this woman? Toward those whose lives are characterized by judging others, like the Pharisee? Who needs forgiveness more?

6. Take some time to think about the debt Jesus has cancelled for you. Think of specific sins for which he has forgiven you. How can you express your grat.i.tude?

Thursday HER PROMISE.

Let's be honest. Many of us would respond to this sinful woman just as the Pharisee did. It's so easy to look more with judgment than love at people whose lives have been devastated by sin. But Jesus looked at her and at Simon and saw the same thing: their need for forgiveness. And he gave it freely. We don't know what Simon's response to Jesus was, but the woman's response is evident in her tears and kisses.

This story isn't included in Scripture just so we can see the forgiveness given to one sinful woman; it's included so we can know that no matter how sinful, how broken, how entrenched in error we might be, forgiveness is available if only we seek it in faith-he's promised.

Promises in Scripture For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

-Psalm 25:11 When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.

-Psalm 65:3 Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

-Acts 10:43 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of G.o.d's grace that he lavished on us.

-Ephesians 1:7 - 8 He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

- Colossians 1:13 - 14 Friday HER LEGACY OF PRAYER.

Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven -for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.

-Luke 7:47 Reflect On: Luke 7:36-50.

Praise G.o.d: For the power of forgiveness in your own life.

Offer Thanks: That G.o.d is still ready to forgive you, no matter how frequently or how seriously you have sinned.

Confess: Any self-righteousness that has crept into your life.

Ask G.o.d: To protect you against pride, to enable you to see your sins and believe in his desire and power to forgive you.

Lift Your Heart How long has it been since tears of repentance have washed your soul? Do you find it easier to linger over others' failings than your own? Harsh att.i.tudes toward the notorious sins of others - even the sins of unprincipled politicians or insensitive husbands-will only dry up your love for G.o.d.

No matter how long it's been since you committed your life to G.o.d, pride has a way of creeping back in, locking you into a black-and-white vision of the universe. Remember that the Pharisee was forgiven little, not because his sin was inconsequential but because his repentance was so small. This week, search your heart for any judgments, large or small, you have made against others. Make a list of people who you feel have wronged you. Release your judgments against them and ask G.o.d to bless them. Then tear up the sheet as a sign that you are repenting of the judgments you made. The next time you are tempted to judge someone, quickly repeat this exercise in your mind.

Lord, when others rejected me, you embraced me. What was untouchable in me you touched. Make me a woman who loves much, a woman who is not afraid to fall at your feet, bathing them with tears.

The Woman with the Issue of Blood.

Her Character: So desperate for healing, she ignored the conventions of the day for the chance to touch Jesus.

Her Sorrow: To have suffered a chronic illness that isolated her from others.

Her Joy: That after long years of suffering, she finally found peace and freedom.

Key Scriptures: Matthew 9:20 - 22; Mark 5:25 - 34; Luke 8:43 - 48 Monday HER STORY.

The woman hovered at the edge of the crowd. n.o.body watched as she melted into the throng of bodies -just one more bee entering the hive. Her shame faded, replaced by a rush of relief. No one had prevented her from joining in. No one had recoiled at her touch.

She pressed closer, but a noisy swarm of men still blocked her view. She could hear Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, raising his voice above the others, pleading with Jesus to come and heal his daughter before it was too late.

Suddenly the group in front of her s.h.i.+fted, parting like the waters of the Jordan before the children of promise. It was all she needed. Her arm darted through the opening, fingers brus.h.i.+ng the hem of his garment. Instantly, she felt a warmth spread through her, flus.h.i.+ng out the pain, clearing out the decay. Her skin p.r.i.c.kled and s.h.i.+vered. She felt strong and able, like a young girl coming into her own-so glad and giddy, in fact, that her feet wanted to rush her away before she created a spectacle by laughing out loud at her quiet miracle.

But Jesus blocked her escape and silenced the crowd with a curious question: "Who touched me?"

"Who touched him? He must be joking!" voices murmured. "People are pus.h.i.+ng and shoving just to get near him!"

Shaking now, the woman fell at his feet: "For twelve years, I have been hemorrhaging and have spent all my money on doctors but only grown worse. Today, I knew that if I could just touch your garment, I would be healed." But touching, she knew, meant spreading her defilement-even to the rabbi.

Twelve years of loneliness. Twelve years in which physicians had bled her of all her money. Her private affliction becoming a matter of public record. Every cup she handled, every chair she sat on could transmit defilement to others. Even though her impurity was considered a ritual matter rather than an ethical one, it had rendered her an outcast, making it impossible for her to live with a husband, bear a child, or enjoy the intimacy of friends and family. Surely the rabbi would censure her.

But instead of scolding and shaming her, Jesus praised her: "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

His words must have been like water breaching a dam, breaking through her isolation and setting her free. He had addressed her not harshly, but tenderly - not as "woman" or "sinner," but rather as "daughter." She was no longer alone, but part of his family by virtue of her faith.

That day, countless men and women had brushed against Jesus, but only one had truly touched him. And instead of being defiled by contact with her, his own touch had proven the more contagious, rendering her pure and whole again.

Tuesday HER LIFE AND TIMES.

MENSTRUAL BLEEDING.

Any woman who has suffered through "an issue of blood" knows the difficulties and the debilitating effects of the disease. When blood flows freely and frequently instead of in its regular monthly pattern, women endure not only the untidiness of the condition but can also experience a loss of strength and weight.

The woman in this story suffered from such a hemorrhage for twelve long years. She was probably weak and thin. Because of the ritual uncleanness that surrounded such a condition, she most likely didn't often go out in public. Imagine twelve years of this: When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period. Any bed she lies on while her discharge continues will be unclean, as is her bed during her monthly period, and anything she sits on will be unclean, as during her period. Whoever touches them will be unclean; they must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening.

-Leviticus 15:25 - 27 A woman was considered unclean for a mere seven days when she had her regular period (Leviticus 15:19). This woman, however, bore not only the inconvenience but also the curse of being unclean for twelve years. Anyone and anything she touched became unclean. Imagine: She gives her husband a plate of food and their hands touch-he's unclean. She gives her neighbor a hand with her laundry and their hands touch - she's unclean. Anything she sits on at home becomes unclean, as does anything she sits on at a neighbor's home or in public. Before long, everyone is aware of her uncleanness and no one wants to be around her.

Many different conditions could have caused this woman's ailment: fibroid tumors, an infection, a hormone imbalance. Whatever the cause, the doctors she had seen over the years had taken all of her money but given no relief. With the forthrightness and compa.s.sion that are characteristic of the gospel writer Mark, he says this woman "had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors." In fact, at times their cures were probably worse than her sickness. Still, no matter how much money she spent or how much agony she endured, her sickness seemed impossible to cure. Until she met the G.o.d of the impossible.

What doctors couldn't do, Jesus could. No repulsive or painful remedies. No visits to doctors more interested in financial gain than in her cure. With just a soft, loving touch of his coat, she was cured. Healed. Freed. Immediately!

The glory of Christ is that he succeeds where others fail. He brings healing when doctors say none is possible. He offers forgiveness when the heart says it can never be forgiven. He extends comfort when the agony is too great to carry, and peace when all is chaos. He presents the possible after twelve years of impossibility.

Wednesday HER LEGACY IN SCRIPTURE.

Read Mark 5:24 - 34.

1. Choose three words to describe the suffering this woman had experienced for twelve years.

2. She probably touched others in the crowd accidentally while trying to get to Jesus. As an unclean woman, what was she risking by doing this? What did it take to accept such a risk?

3. Why do you think she was afraid to admit she was the one who had touched Jesus?

4. Is there anything about this woman - her suffering, her actions, her healing-that reminds you of yourself? If so, what is it?

5. If you have pursued Jesus for healing and haven't yet received it, what do you do with this story?

Thursday HER PROMISE.

G.o.d promises to heal us. That statement may seem to fly in the face of the many who have suffered from illness and disability for years on end, but we need to remember that our concept of healing is not necessarily the same as G.o.d's. For some, healing may not take place here on earth. True healing-the healing that will cure even those who don't suffer from any particular physical ailment here on earth-will take place not here but in heaven. There, G.o.d promises the ultimate healing from our sickness, our disabilities, our inclination to sin.

Promises in Scripture I am the Lord, who heals you.

-Exodus 15:26 O Lord my G.o.d, I called to you for help and you healed me.

-Psalm 30:2 Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compa.s.sion.

-Psalm 103:1 - 4 They will be his people, and G.o.d himself will be with them and be their G.o.d. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has pa.s.sed away.

-Revelation 21:3 - 4 Friday HER LEGACY OF PRAYER.

When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed."

-Mark 5:27-28 Reflect On: Mark 5:21 - 34.

Praise G.o.d: That his touch produces peace and freedom.

Offer Thanks: That faith is a gift that increases with use.

Confess: Any tendency to play it so safe you actually begin to suffocate the faith you have.

Ask G.o.d: To bring this woman's story to mind the next time you are faced with an opportunity to exercise real faith.

Lift Your Heart Trying to live the Christian life without faith is like trying to ^S eat a steak with a straw, or kissing someone without using your lips, or propelling an airplane with foot pedals. It doesn't nourish you, never thrills you, and won't get you anywhere. If you feel the spark of faith fading, ask G.o.d to take the little you have and fan it to flame. Before you go to bed each night this week, remind yourself of your need by lighting a small candle at your bedside and praying this prayer: Father, forgive my little faith Make it big Reduce my ego Make it small Give me a chance To touch you and be touched No matter how foolish No matter how frightened No matter how strange I feel Fan my small spark into a brightness Lighting the way ahead.