Page:Jesus of Nazareth the story of His life simply told (1917).djvu/219

 *ent points with a contemptuous expression of surprise to the couch on which Jesus reclines. A woman is kneeling there at His feet. Her dress is coarse, her long hair streams loosely over her shoulders and face, and on the floor beside her stands an alabaster box of precious ointment. Her tears are falling fast upon His feet, and as they fall she wipes them away with her hair. Again and again she stoops and kisses His feet. And then she takes the box and breaks it over them, and the fragrance of the perfume fills the house.

Simon is indignant. How dares Mary Magdalen enter his house! And how is it Jesus of Nazareth does not drive her away? If He were a prophet He would surely know that she is a sinner.

From His lowly place Jesus looks at Simon and says:

"Simon, I have somewhat to say to thee."

And he says: "Master, say it."

"A certain creditor had two debtors, the one owed five hundred pence and the other fifty. And as they had not wherewith to pay, he forgave them both. Which, therefore, of the two loveth him most?"

Simon answers in a surly tone: "I suppose he to whom he forgave most."

And Jesus says to him: "Thou hast judged rightly."

Then, turning to the woman, He says to Simon: "Seest thou this woman? I entered into thy house, thou gavest Me no water for My feet, but she with tears hath washed My feet, and with her hair hath wiped them. Thou gavest Me no kiss, but she since she came in hath not ceased to kiss My feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint, but she with ointment hath anointed My feet. Wherefore I say to thee many sins are forgiven her because she hath loved much. But to