“Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, ² as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, ³ and Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources. Luke 8:1-3

Jesus Christ made it his business to teach a new teaching – today we call it the Gospel – the Good News of the Kingdom of G-d. Perhaps it is better to call it the “Reign of G-d”. This reign is like nothing we have ever encountered in this life – a reign that is filled with glad tidings, good news, and a new way to live and to love.

There were certain women who were among the disciples, who were among those who followed Jesus, who provided from their own resources for his disciples, and were indeed included as disciples themselves. This inclusion means that Jesus welcomed both men and women to serve, to minister, and to share out of their individual gifts. Today we make distinctions between people – distinctions among gender, race and culture – Jesus makes no such distinctions in the Kingdom of G-d.

Everyone is welcome in the Kingdom of G-d – and every disciple is welcome in the mission field.

Pastor Dave

⁴⁴ Then turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” ⁴⁸ Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” ⁴⁹ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” ⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:44-49

The woman’s sins “have been” forgiven at some event before she even comes to “see” Jesus. Her response is to come and anoint the feet of Jesus. Her presence can only be explained as an act of love, for she has received a wonderful gift – the gift of the forgiveness of sins, which leads to her salvation. Her sins must have been great – for she has one identity in the community – that of a “sinner”. The Pharisee, instead of rejoicing in the change of heart and the woman’s repentance, the Pharisee confines his thoughts to her former bad character. Instead of seeing a person, he sees one thing – a sinner. We all have some baggage, we all have sins from our lives, from our past decisions and behaviors that haunt us in some degree, manner or form. As such, without the free gift of Grace, none of us can be made right with G-d. We cannot do it ourselves. It is Jesus who has given us this great gift. Therefore, we too should give Jesus great thanks and praise in our lives as well.

Pastor Dave