Do You See?

 June 28, 2022

Luke tells us about the incident of “the sinner” woman and Simon the Pharisee. Simon had invited Jesus for dinner, and as they lay around the table (back then, the tables were low; people reclined on one side as they ate), a woman crashes the party, Weeping profusely, she broke a jar of perfume over Jesus’ feet and washed them with her hair—a rather provocative act, when you think about it.

Simon was annoyed and it showed, so Jesus told him a story about forgiveness and love. When he was done, Luke tells us he turned to face the woman while talking over his shoulder to Simon. “Do you see this woman?” he asked. She was one of the invisible people we encounter every day. She wasn’t a mover or shaker, someone valued for who she was. She was one bought and sold on the street. “Simon, do you see her? Can you look beneath or behind the sin to see the woman herself?” 

Jesus wasn’t looking at Simon as he asked the question. He had turned to look at her, to notice her, to show her some respect, something she hadn’t had perhaps for years. I can imagine Simon, the anger rising within him as Jesus turns his back to him. He wasn’t used to being ignored and disrespected in this way. “Simon, do you see this woman?” 

“Jim, do you see this woman? Or do you only see what she has done, what she has become? Do you see the brokenness, the regrets, the hopelessness, fear, and pain? Can you not see her?” Too often, instead of seeing people, I’ve gotten irritated because they crashed my party, upset my plans, intruded upon my nice, neat little world. What do I see when I look? Do I see problems, or do I see people? What I see is a good measure of how well I know the Savior. 

What do you see? Jesus isn’t looking at you when he asks the question. He is looking at the one ignored and overlooked, honoring her and blessing her with forgiveness and hope.