The greater sin

After Luke 7:36-50

A sinful woman of the city,

a euphemism for prostitution,

weeps and anoints his feet

with oil. The host, a man

of some means who followed

the law, is taken aback,

surprised at how unacceptable

this is for his guest to accept

such an anointing. But he says 

nothing. The anointed one

smiles, understanding

the host’s thought, and answers

aloud with a story, a tale 

of two debtors, one lesser and

one greater, and asks which one 

will love the canceller of the debt 

more?

 

Photograph by Kat J via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Some Friday Readings

 

The Severe Kindness of Jesus: Hearing Mercy in His Words – Jon Bloom at Desiring God.

 

A Scriptural Soldier: A review of The Letters, Writings, and Speeches of Oliver Cromwell – Crawford Gribben at New Criterion.

 

Jesus of the Scars – poem by Edward Shillito at Kingdom Poets (D.S. Martin).

 

History Matters – Joel Kotkin at Quillette.

 

Poetry Club: Coffee Shop Collage – “Do the Shells Still Hear?” – Tweetspeak Poetry.