Mary’s Offering
265
various plausible excuses. A pretense of wide philanthropy, unlimited
by church or creed, is not unfrequently one of them, and they plead,
like Judas, It is better to give it to the poor. But the true Christian
[380]
shows his faith by investing in the cause of truth; he is known by his
works, for “faith without works is dead.”
Jesus read Simon’s heart, and knew how he had been influenced
by the insinuations of Judas, and that he had questioned in his mind,
saying, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and
what manner of woman this is that toucheth him; for she is a sinner.”
When Judas had left the house, Jesus turned to his host and said,
“Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.” Simon replied, “Master,
say on.” Then Jesus proceeded to speak a parable, which illustrated
the contrast between the gratitude of his host, who had been healed
of the leprosy, and that of Mary, whose sins had been pardoned. Said
he, “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 did not discern the application which Jesus designed to
make, but he answered him, “I suppose that he to whom he forgave
most.” Jesus replied, “Thou hast rightly judged.” This answer con-
demned Simon. He had been a great sinner, and also a loathsome
leper, avoided by all. He had come to Jesus piteously imploring his
help, and He who never turned a deaf ear to human woe, had cleansed
him from sin and from the terrible disease that was upon him. Simon
was humbled, but he had been a proud Pharisee, and he did not look
upon himself as being so great a sinner as he really was, and he had
[381]
now become self-sufficient and lifted up in his own estimation. He
had exalted himself as far superior to the poor woman who anointed
the feet of her Lord. In entertaining Jesus at his house, he thought he
was paying him marked respect; but the Saviour was lowered in his
estimation when he permitted the devotion of Mary, who had been so
great a sinner. He overlooked the miracle which Jesus had wrought
upon him in saving him from a living death, and coldly reasoned with
himself if Jesus could be the Messiah, and yet stoop to receive the gift
of this woman. He thought that if he were the Christ, he would know
that a sinner had approached him and repel her. He did not realize
that he himself had been a greater sinner than she, and that Christ