In the seventh chapter of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus was invited to dinner at the house of Simon the Pharisee.  Everything seemed to be normal until the meal was wildly interrupted by an unnamed harlot.  Thankful for the grace she discovered in Christ, she bowed herself before the Lord, washed His feet with her tears, anointed His head with oil, and kissed Him.

     In that culture a guest was greeted at the door with affection, water, and oil.  A kiss was a customary sign of hospitality and kindness.  Water was given to wash their feet, and oil was supplied to anoint their head.  Simon, who was the actual owner of the home refused to embrace Jesus with such respect and honor; but the harlot esteemed the Lord greatly.

     Knowing the heart of Simon, the Lord put forth a parable. He simply said, “There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?  Simon accurately answered, “He to whom he forgave the most.”  The harlot taught Simon a valuable lesson that day: The way you treat Christ comes from your understanding of His forgiveness.  How are you treating the Lord these days?