Appendix A—At Simon’s House
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honored, Paul said, “If she have lodged strangers, if she have washed
the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently
followed every good work” [
1 Timothy 5:10
].
Many need sympathy and appreciation. But those who would wash
the saints’ feet must have sanctified discernment, that they may be able
to recognize a saint. The garment of God’s messenger may be travel-
stained and worn, but he may be an angel in disguise. Unrecognized,
angels talk with men, speaking words that are to their souls as the
water of life. Mary was looked upon as a great sinner, but Christ knew
the circumstances that had made her thus. He saw that she had great
capabilities for good. He saw the better phase of her character, and
knew that through His grace she would become a partaker of the divine
nature, and would purify her soul by obeying the truth
.
Christ might have extinguished every spark of hope in Mary’s
soul, but He did not. The Heart-searcher read the motives that led to
her actions, and He also saw the spirit that prompted Simon’s words.
“Seest thou this woman?” He said to him. “She is a sinner; I say unto
thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but
to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her,
Thy sins are forgiven.”
Those present, thinking of Lazarus, who had been raised from the
dead by Christ, and who was at this time a guest in his uncle’s house,
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began to question, saying, “Who is this that forgiveth sins also?” But
Christ continued, “Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
Jesus knows the circumstances of every soul. You may say, I am
sinful, very sinful. You may be; but the worse you are, the more you
need Jesus. He turns no weeping, contrite soul away. He does not
tell to any all that He might reveal, but He bids every trembling soul
take courage. He will not reject any who come to Him penitent and
believing. Freely will He pardon all who come for forgiveness and
restoration
.
But to know Jesus requires a change of heart. No unconverted
person, in his natural state of depravity, loves Christ. A love of Jesus is
the first result of conversion. The proof of this love is given: “If ye love
me, keep my commandments.” “If ye keep my commandments, ye
shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments,
and abide in his love.”