“Direct or Indirect?”

Caught in the Middle

Which door would you use?

Luke 7:36-50 says Simon the Pharisee was appalled when a sinful woman crashed his party. She dared to anoint Jesus’ feet with her tears and caress his feet with ointment.

While Jesus and the others dined, he was sandwiched with the need for truth.

At his head, veins pulsed in Simon’s crimson neck.

At his feet, tears rained from a woman with a midnight past.

His host and his follower each needed the truth. But, Jesus couldn’t use the same approach for both. He needed two doors.

The Back Door

Compared to that chopped liver at Jesus’ feet, Simon prided himself on being filet mignon.

But how receptive will Simon be if Jesus calls him a hypocrite? Then he’ll raise, not lower, his barriers. Picture an eye-rolling 14 year old.

         

Jesus was indirect and slipped truth in through the back door.

He told Simon a story about a creditor who canceled the debts of two debtors. Jesus asked which debtor would love the creditor more. Simon said, “The one with the bigger debt forgiven.”

“You have judged correctly.” (v.43, emphasis mine) With the back door open, Jesus let in the truth. Simon thought he needed little from Jesus, so he offered little to Jesus.

No water for washing. No kiss of friendship. No oil for anointing.

The Front Door

This woman couldn’t thank Jesus enough for changing her life. She showed great love because she had already received great forgiveness.

Her tears wet his feet. Then she kissed them and anointed them with ointment.

With her past now redeemed, Jesus was direct and paraded truth in through the front door.

He said, “Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

If an indirect approach is better, slip the truth in through the back door.

If a direct approach is better, parade the truth in through the front door.

Either way, we shall know the truth, and the truth will set us free (John 8:32).

David