Ok, This Woman Is A Bit a Strange

There is not a great cultural divide in what this woman is doing here (in first century Palestine) from today. She is expressing her gratitude, yes. But, it is strange in how she is doing it.

These men are thinking, not saying their reactions to this event. I would most likely be thinking the same thoughts, even judging her the same way.

So, what is the strange part? It resists logic really. We don't have a reference point for this woman's actions.

I wonder if this was the whole point of Jesus' reaction. It wasn't to insult his host, but he wasn't about to insult the woman either. Jesus may have been a political guest in the home, a bit of showing off to the other Pharisees that the homeowner had an open mind about this new teacher from Nazareth.

Or, Jesus may have been genuine in wondering why there was no warm reception when he came to the dinner. "I came, but why did you invite me?"

Either way, the spontaneous recording of this interaction is out of character for first century writing. Hold on, what?

Proving the accuracy of the scriptures, this event was written for the internal validation of the entire gospel. Yes, really. Some events that are in the gospels would simply never appear in the formal writing of this time period. We write all sorts of garbage today and put it in print, but people just didn't do that type of thing in the first century. Meaning: trust the scriptures. This happened.

Secondly, worship is accepted in all sorts of forms by the Lord. Even if we don't think so. I shouldn't be overly critical about anyone expressing their thanks to the Lord, no matter what form it takes.

Thirdly, I need to love the Lord more. Don't take him for granted. Greet him when he comes into your world. Acknowledge his presence.

Created 7 months ago