July 8

And he went into the Pharisee's house and sat down to meat.—Luke 7:36.

JESUS was the instructor of all classes of the people. We find him ministering the word of life, both to the high and the low, both to the rich and the poor, to publicans and sinners, and also to the Pharisees. On this occasion a man of the name of Simon invited Jesus to become his guest. Simon was a Pharisee, and pharisees in general were Christ's greatest enemies, to this there were however some interesting exceptions, amongst them was Nicodemus, and also the person before us. It happened while Jesus was in the house, that a woman who had formerly been a notorious sinner, having heard that Christ was there, came unto him and stood behind Jesus weeping, washing his feet with her tears, and kissing them, and anointing them with precious ointment. Simon greatly marvelled, and spake within himself thus, "This man if he were a Prophet, would have known who and what woman this is." Jesus reading his heart and knowing all the workings of his mind, then addressed to him the interesting parable of the two debtors, and then on the ground of this woman's supreme affection, justified her conduct to him, and said unto her "thy sins are forgiven, thy faith hath saved thee, go in peace." Having glanced at the narrative, we cannot fail to be struck with the condescension and with the grace of the Saviour. He came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; he came to seek and to save that which was lost; and the most vile and wretched were invited freely to participate of his favor and salvation. We see in this woman an exhibition of sincere and genuine repentance. How great must have been the change, to have so completely softened the heart of one so callous and hardened by a life of deep-toned criminality; what humility, what affection to Jesus she manifested, what holy boldness to display her affection in the presence of a haughty Pharisee. How cheering and consolitary must Christ's address have been to her. And all who come to him in this manner he will bless with the token of his mercy and grace. Let us beware of the spirit of the Pharisees, and rather rejoice when poor prodigal souls return to God, seeing that the lost are found, and they who were dead are alive again.