‘He Said To Himself’

Luke 7:39-40 (NLT)

‘When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!’ Then Jesus answered his thoughts. ‘Simon,’ he said to the Pharisee, ‘I have something to say to you.’ 'Go ahead, Teacher,’ Simon replied.’

You’re on a zoom call. It’s dull. Someone on the call is doing something strange. You make a comment under your breath to yourself, or to someone else in the room with you. Perhaps it isn’t the kindest, most encouraging, most Christian comment you could have made. It’s OK though because you’re on mute so no-one heard you. Ah. You weren’t on mute.

Have you been there? I have and it’s not a good feeling. You think no one’s heard what you said, or knows what you thought, and then you realise that wasn’t the case at all.

In our verses today, Simon has the first century equivalent of a zoom nightmare. He’s judging the woman, and he’s judging Jesus. He can’t understand why she’s here or what she’s doing, and he can’t understand Jesus’ response. Verse 39 tells us 'he said to himself’. Except with Jesus, there’s not really any such thing as saying something to ourselves. 

Simon is well and truly called out, as Jesus tells him a parable that goes straight to what he’s been thinking. He is forced to confront his judgements, his preconceptions and his less than encouraging thoughts.

Jesus knows our judgements, too, and our unfiltered thoughts. But just like he did with Simon, he’s willing and ready to challenge us. He still loves us despite it, but he calls us to a higher standard: a standard of kindness and compassion, of encouragement and honour, of building one another up.

Philippians 4:8: ‘whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable…think on these’

It’s a challenge, to not only consider what we say, but to consider what we think too. Let’s try, with the Spirit’s help, to be less like Simon, and more like Jesus in what we say and think today.

Prayer – Jesus, I’m sorry for where I say and think things that aren’t good or encouraging or kind. Help me to do better today!