Psalm 56, 57; Wisdom 9:1, 7-18; Col. 3:18-4:18; Luke 7:36-50
Clearly the writer is Solomon, the builder of the temple in Jerusalem, a copy of the tent they used in the wilderness. His prayer here is answered and we know that Solomon’s wisdom was the envy and marvel of the world, even the queen of Sheba heard of it, came to see for herself and left enthralled by this king and his wisdom. He speaks of wisdom as from God, eternally with God, there at creation, who understands what is pleasing in His sight and wisely and properly interpreting the Word of God, the commandments. All these are attributed to Jesus by John and Paul as well as the writer of Hebrews. Solomon prayed that the Lord would send His Holy Spirit and so He did and Solomon’s kingdom was great and splendid. When we ask for God to send His Holy Spirit, He is faithful to answer that prayer as we ask for wisdom in our own lives, that we might know through the Spirit what is pleasing in His sight.
Note in verse 39 that Simon the Pharisee sees the woman whom we assume to be a prostitute, washing Jesus’ feet he says “to himself” that if Jesus were a prophet he would know what sort of woman this is. He didn’t say it out loud, but Jesus clearly knew his thoughts and proves by the parable that He knows exactly who this woman is and that her actions here speak of her love for Him that is pure. Simon knows nothing of love other than love of self, he clearly does not have love for the woman and only some small measure of respect for Jesus. He has invited Him to dinner but has not provided basic hospitality while this woman has noted the slight and provided all that she had to make up for the lack of respect shown. She has recognized somehow that Jesus is more than a teacher and Jesus sees something of faith in her and it is this that He says is responsible for her salvation and the forgiveness of her sins.
Paul instructs the Colossians in their obligations in their relationships. He knew that there was a worldly way of living out those relationships but that there was a distinctly Christian way of living them out as well. The Christian way is the way of genuine love, respecting the hierarchy that the world establishes on the one hand but fixing the heart on the people within the world’s hierarchy. The Christian way is not limited to interaction between brothers and sisters in Christ, Paul extends it to all, including outsiders. If we are to transcend the way of the world, to live as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, we are going to have to live from the Spirit, be people in whom the word abides richly and people of constant, abiding prayer.
Thou rushing wind that art so strong
Ye clouds that sail in Heaven along,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Thou rising moon, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice!
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
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