Luke7:37,38 ” And behold a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and stood at his feet behind Him weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed His feet and anointed them with the ointment.”
I have some privacy shades in the room where I sleep to keep out the sunlight in order to sleep better. Of course they don’t guarantee you will sleep better. It is God who gives us rest and sleep so we can shut out all of the stuff in our minds and have peace at last. But if you are like me there are moments where you want to feel the warm sun rays kissing your skin on a morning like today. Today when you know there are a million things to do and bills to pay and there is no way you can get it all done. You feel overwhelmed and alone with your reality and misery. But in your neediness there is God nudging you on and giving you strength just for today… 
I lifted my tired frame up and stood by my bed ready to get on with it. It was a beautiful day! That ray of sunlight was just what I needed. It felt like a kiss from God.
The Study Lesson for this week in my Quarterly is focusing on the story about the woman, who, is a sinner and a kiss. What was it so prolific about her kiss?
The scene opens up with the woman standing behind Jesus. Notice her position was not in front or to the side. Behind to me indicates her position of shame or guilt. Not feeling worthy to face a righteous Jesus head on out of reverence perhaps too. Who among us can look upon a holy Christ and live? She is an uninvited guest in the home of a man she had indulged with sinful acts at some point. And he was an ardent accuser and had already wrote her off as a loser. A woman of ill repute to be thrown among the scum and dung of this life.! Jesus read his thoughts. Ever more poignant is the fact the Jesus also honed in on the heart of this sinner and He looked beyond her faults and sensed her need. she had a deep need to be set free of the constant guilt and condemnation she felt. A kind word a friendly look her way , anything but what she now experiences cowering in shame before the King of the Jews.
The “kiss”. Lets explore it a little closer. Today a kiss has many meanings. Tourist visit the Blarney Castle each year to kiss the Blarney Stone. They believe it will grant them the gift of eloquence. In the Bible the Greek word for “kiss” is Kataphilieô : it means to kiss lovingly.
What was going through Jesus’ mind at that time when the woman kissed his feet? I can tell you it was not condemnation. Lets look at it from a Jewish tradition. Throughout history they viewed the kiss more frequently as an indication of esteem, homage, or honor, and it was usually given on the cheek. The most personal example of course is on the lips. The Jews also believed that God Himself kissed people at the time of death. This kiss is an expression of covenant faithfulness. ( i.e.). Moses at his death. (see Duet.34:5) ” 
then God blessed Moses and took his soul by placing a kiss over his mouth and withdrawing his breath.
Jewish custom at that time required a host to place the hand on a guest’s shoulder and to give them a kiss of peace when they enter. (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Eerdmans.) Jesus’ host Simon did not follow the custom. he neglected to show Jesus this courtesy. 
However this sinful woman went all out to show how much she respected and loved Jesus! She honored Jesus by kissing His feet, therefore giving Him the distinction of being the promised King of Israel. How would you greet Jesus today?
Your hug from God is always there . Did you get it?
Luke
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