Finally they said, "Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"
We're catching up to our friend from Samaria. She's come a long way, but we need to step back a few years before she ended up where we first met her. Let me tell you the story.
There was a man with two sisters. The youngest sister left her home in exchange for what the world offered, and one day found she had lost everything of value. Into her poverty came a Word and the Word drew her to Himself like no man ever had. From that time on, where ever the Word was spoken she followed and listened. In the listening her treasure was restored and the depth of her gratitude overwhelmed her. Others, however, could see the restoration only with the greatest of difficulty.
We are in a well-appointed dining room in a prominent house in Bethany, a few miles from Jerusalem. Several men are sitting or standing in a dinner room prior to a meal being served. A few are talking casually but one is in a heated discussion with the host.
Ichabod - Are you sure you want to have this man here? Do you know the kind of people this man associates with?
Simon - I have heard a great deal of gossip and innuendo from people who have neither heard nor seen him first hand. If this is another charlatan "Messiah," I will be able to discern it quickly, God willing.
Ichabod - You are naive. And you will bring a curse on this house.
Simon - I bring nothing of the kind. My invitation to him is not an endorsement of his work, but this man has influence and teaches with authority. As members of the Sanhedrin we have a responsibility to hear him out before passing judgement on his teaching.
Ichabod throws his hands up in frustration
Simon - Listen, Ichabod! This man is a guest in my house and will be shown respect. You will show that respect if you wish to enjoy the same status.
Ichabod -I beg your forgiveness, my friend.
Simon -Very well, then.
A servant rushes in, out of breath.
Servant - Master, he is here! And you should see the crowd that follows him. I hardly recognize anyone. They must be from out of town and ...
Simon -Yes, yes. Bring him in and allow him to bring his friends. Wait! Allow him three friends. We already have a crowd in here as it is.
The traveler, enters the room with three of his companions.
He stands patiently near the table.
Simon -Ah, Rabbi! Now we can eat. Come sit here next to me. Your friends may sit with you.
This is always an awkward time in high society.
The lower classes will generally grab the first seat they see,
eager to get at the food.
In this house, however, the guests begin jockeying
for position on the other side of Simon.
The traveler hesitates as though waiting for something.
He finally shrugs and sits at Simon's right hand.
Simon looks exasperated.
Simon - Please, everyone sit.
Simon is a man of great influence.
Everyone drops to the floor as though a rug had been pulled out from under them. Servants begin bringing out the trays of food.
Ichabod approaches the traveler.
Ichabod - Rabbi, your teaching has the entire country enthralled, but I was wondering about this teaching on the Sabbath. Am I correct that you believe the Sabbath was created FOR man, not ...
Ichabod’s interrogation is cut short.
There is some commotion just outside the door.
Women are screaming, Servants are calling for aid.
One voice is recognizable, however. It is our Samaritan friend.
Mary -Leave me alone! I have to see him. He has to know what he's done for me!
Mary bursts onto the room. She carries a small clay jar.
She sees the traveler and stops short.
He smiles, once again, in recognition.
She begins to weep.
She moves to where he sits,
kneels and opens the jar,
pouring its contents on his feet.
She begins wiping his feet with her hair and kissing them.
Ichabod pulls on Simon's arm and whispers roughly in his ear.
Ichabod -You see! You know who that is. We ran her out of town three years ago. We have the right to take her out and stone her now.
Simon -Yes, I know. If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is --that she is a sinner.
The Traveler appears not to have heard this interchange and examines a fig.
Traveler -Simon, I have something to tell you.
Simon -Tell me, teacher.
Traveler -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 - I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.
Traveler -That's a good answer. Now, consider this woman. I came into your house. You did not give me water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. There was very little warmth in your greeting to me but this woman has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.
Simon, you need to know that her sins -- even though they are too numerous to count -- have been forgiven which is demonstrated her great love for me. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.
The Traveler turns to Mary.
Traveler - Your sins are forgiven.
This does not sit well with the other guests. After all, forgiveness, like cleanliness, is divine ... not human. The other guests start to murmur and recite her past sins. But Mary cannot hear them. She cannot see them. She can only see the Traveler.
Traveler - Your faith has saved you; go in peace. Go home, Mary!
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