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The woman who was healed of broken heart - 6/9/2008 3:49:20 PM
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kisstheson
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The woman who was healed of a broken heart . Part 1
The house of Simon the Pharisee was now in sight standing at the end of the cobble stone street, a limestone dwelling, the largest in the neighborhood, surrounded with palm trees, and a court yard lined with benches, torches and elaborate gardens. Yeshua walked a couple of paces ahead of his twelve disciples. He listened to the conversation of the rag tag group of men following behind. Although they tried to keep a soft tone bits and pieces of what they were saying reached his ears.
“I don’t know why the master is going there. Why would they invite him to dinner? They could care less about him or his message.” complained Kepha. Yeshua knew the biggest and the broadest of the disciples spoke. He could tell by the sound of his gruff, baritone voice. As he imagined the shaggy salt and pepper head shaking from side to side and the words forming between a bushy beard Yeshua couldn’t help but smile.
“Remember our last encounter with the pharisees?” This time the youngest spoke, young Yochanan ,son of Zebedee, handsome, clean shaven, with his large soulful dark eyes that always was portraying the exact feelings welling from his heart. Yochanan the youth wore his heart on his sleeve. “They tried to trap Yeshua with their questions.” he said. “They wanted to make a fool out of him!”
“Some of the Pharisees do believe in him.” observed Andrew, Kepha’s dark haired more temperate brother.
“A few believe in him.” Yacov reminded the others. The oldest of the Zebedee sons, Yacob was nearly Yochanan’s twin in appearance.
“Too few believe in him.” argued Philip the Greek. “I say this whole meeting with this…Pharisee…whatever his name is… is a waste if time.”
Yeshua regarded the conversation with whimsy. Did the disciples not yet understand that he did whatever the Father told him to do? He was going to the dinner trusting the Father had a good work to accomplish. Yeshua turned and joined the group. He eyed Philip, “his name is Shimon.” Yeshua instructed him with a slight smile wreathed by a sparse black beard. “Remember that name. You don’t want to offend this Pharisee unnecessarily.”
“But master…” Yochanan stood still and waited for the others to do the same. The disciples complied. So did Yeshua. Yochanan made a gesture that included his turban and his raggedy clothes. “Look at us. Do we really look like we belong in a place like the house of that rich old Pharisee? We look like a group of vagabonds and beggars..”
“Sordid criminals at best.” sighed Natan’el scratching his beard.
The men protested. When the others to quiet down Judah added his own objections in a smooth, soft spoken voice.
“Criminals, Not I!” he said. His handsome profile lifted high as he adjusted his robes accordingly which were in truth a bit more kempt and colorful than the rest.
“Don’t think you’re any better than the rest of us Judah Ish Kerioth!” snapped Thoma.
Yeshua surveyed his men. They appeared hot and tired, a sorry sight. Before evening approached they had washed their heads and hands and feet at the village well and done their best to straighten out their robes. He knew he didn’t look much different then they. Even in the light of his oil lamp he noticed keenly the dust clinging to the folds in his brown home spun robe. He felt the sweat gathering beneath his turban. He had wetted it down at the well but it was already bone dry. And his feet…it was impossible to keep them clean. His worn sandals did little to protect them from the unpaved dusty, sheep and camel driven roads outside Bethany. The one comforting thought was the custom, especially among the well to do, to have a servant at the door ready with a basin water to wash the feet of guests. The servant would also supply oil to smooth unruly hair and to cool the brow, a welcoming fragrance on a hot day. All this would be done before he and his men would enter the dining area. At least he and his men would be presentable. Back home it didn’t matter, the poor could not afford such luxuries. Among the rich however, everyone would notice unclean feet and hands touching expensive tapestries and cushions.
Continued...
_____________________________
This is my Beloved. This is my friend. (Song of Solomon)
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RE: The woman who was healed of broken heart - 6/9/2008 3:52:28 PM
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kisstheson
Posts: 870
Joined: 5/1/2006
From: AOL
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Part 2
One thing was certain…Yeshua was confident in his Father’s love and acceptance which had nothing to do with outward appearances.. It was essential his men put on humility and love as a garment. This is what the Father delighted in!
“What is important my brothers?” Yeshua’s question was met by the puzzled expressions on the faces of his disciples.
“We are precious in the eyes of our Father.” said Yeshua. Holding out his arms he explained, “You are beloved of him! Now is this not cause for rejoicing?’
They were all smiling now, nodding in agreement.
Kepha stroked his beard grinning, ‘I can think of another reason to rejoice.’ He mused.
“And what would that be?” wondered Natan’el
“My stomach needs a good home cooked meal and I’m about to eat the best I ever had!” kepha announced rubbing his stomach. “And I’ll risk being called a filthy Galilean for my fill of roast lamb and potatoes!’
Everyone knew that was exactly the meal what was going to be served. The closer they came to the house of Shimon the Pharisee the more they discerned the aroma of roasted lamb wafting from inside. Now Yeshua was at the very entrance. Several men garbed in deep reds and blues and headscarf’s woven of gold and silver silk stood in the courtyard and pointed to Yeahua and his disciples. Yeshua noted how they turned and whispered about him behind their hands.
“See what did I tell you?’ He heard Bar-Talmai grumble. “We shouldn’t have come here.”
Shimon the Pharisee appeared among his guest in the courtyard, a short, stumpy man, covered in Pharisaical robes like the rest of his brethren, his head also neatly dressed in colors of gold and silver. His flowing gray beard reaching the center of his chest, he was as Yeshua remembered him in the village square offering the dinner invitation.
Presently Shimon caught sight of Yeshua and was heading towards him. “no, no…not that way.” Shimon called gesturing frantically away from the main entrance. “Come into the court yard.”
Yeshau hesitated for a moment. He felt the question arise from his disciples. Where was the servant with the accustomed basin of water? Would there be no foot washing? Shimon was not expecting them to step foot into the courtyard unwashed? Yeshua thanked the Father silently for this shared humility, the gift of abasement on behalf of all the poor in the world. He stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the impatient Shimon.
“Shalom aliechem! Peace be with you!” he said.
Likewise all the disciples did the same.
When Yeshua once again stood upright he caught the grimace on Shimon’s face. Although the old Pharisee tried to hide it with a nervous smile Yeshua saw right through the pretentious greeting…
“Welcome Yeshua of Nazereth.”
A moment earlier Yeshua had watched the Pharisee moving among his guests, embracing them and welcoming them with a customary kiss but now Shimon stood aloof secretly scrutinizing Yeshua’s appearance. He did not so much as offer a hand of acceptance. Clearly this man was so bound up in his religion and fear of love. It pained the master to see himself and his disciples denied the basic courtesies of culture. Yeshua felt compassion for Shimon hoping that if he but smiled an accepting smile the old Pharisee might yield at least an embrace but Shimon quickly turned away signaling Yeshua and his men to follow him into the center of the courtyard.
Yeahua and his company of Galileans stood amidst intricately engraved pillars, hanging vines and colorful oriental tapestries. He and his followers clearly contrasted the rich affair. Every detail of their soiled garments and headdresses, dirty feat and the sweat standing on each face was revealed to the group of ten Pharisees. Even then no one offered a basin of water, or oil, none of the comforts that all the other guests had. Yeshua prayed silently again, praising Abba for such of gift of humiliation and he also asked that Shimon and his brethren be opened to love.
Continued,,,
_____________________________
This is my Beloved. This is my friend. (Song of Solomon)
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RE: The woman who was healed of broken heart - 6/9/2008 3:55:52 PM
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kisstheson
Posts: 870
Joined: 5/1/2006
From: AOL
Status: offline
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Part 3
Shimon lifted a hand towards Yeshua, “brethren I give you Yeshua Min N’Zareth.” He announced.
Yeshua bowed respectfully as did the disciples. All the Pharisees smiled curiously eying the Galileans, and then the apostles proceeded cautiously to the couches surrounding several low wooden tables piled high with fruits and vegetables. Yeshua found a couch next to Shimon. He sat down and breathed in the aroma of roast lamb and potatoes which the servants were beginning to serve. They set the meal on platters on three different tables.
“I am hungry.” Said Yeshua. “I do hope you have plenty.”
Shimon returned a half smile, “We do…indeed rabbi,” he replied, “you may eat until your hearts content.”
Not only was Yeshua hungry but the evening was unbearably hot. The turban around his head was insufferable. Yeshua removed it and dabbed the sweat on his forehead and cheeks. Simon hadn’t noticed. He was gesturing for the bowl and the pitcher in order to perform the ritual of washing of hands before the blessing.
But the ritual was halted. There was a commotion in the courtyard. Several heads turned toward the disturbance, men stood in protest while others rushed toward a veiled figure.
“What is going on?” asked Yochanan.
He and Kepha sat up on their couches on either side of Yeshua. straining to get a view of the culprit who had interrupted the sacred rite.
“How dare a woman disrupt this gathering?” Shimon complained.
A woman? Yeshua could see her now. Three men had swung around in his direction holding a woman by her arms trying to forcefully lead here out of the courtyard. The veil had fallen from her head. The torch light revealed her gorgeous purple and blue robes; She was adorned with gold coins and bracelets on her head and arms. More than this Yeshua saw her grief stricken face and her dark eyes large with fear. As soon as the Pharisees had found their voices they all joined in a chorus of denunciation commanding that she leave at once. Yeshua wanted to protect her, to save her from embarrassment.
“Serves her right!” Judah remarked smugly, “What does she expect coming in here like this?”
Shimon had gone from complaining to outrage. His face was as red as a pomegranate as he wagged his head up and down…”yes…yes…it is shameful! She brings shame on my house!”
Why had she come? Why risk the abuse and anger of all these men? Yeshua too was a man sitting with this group of men. He wondered if Abba possibly wanted him to help a poor sinner woman. It would mean risking his own reputation if he stood and defended her and the Pharisees were already up in arms against him. Had Abba called him to attend the dinner for that very purpose? As He silently asked the Father. Somehow the woman broke free from her captors and ran toward him.
The woman crumbled on the floor at his feet. Oh such sobbing, the kind that causes the body to shake and so deep that not a sound comes forth. Yeshua understood. He recognized her desperation. This child of Eve had lost her way and had forgotten who she truly was, a dear one created in Ha Shem’s image. The dark road forked away from the light when she was just a child, a victim of the worse kind of abuse, her purity defiled. She retreated deeper into the darkness seeking security in the embrace of other men. Always she was the vulnerable one, loving with all of her heart in the only way she knew how to love or what she thought was love but the same hurt was heaped on her. She was beautiful enough outwardly but there was something about her that wasn’t lovable, something she couldn’t understand or put a finger on, why men used her and then tossed her away like a worthless object. She had long ago given up hope of ever being truly loved, weighted down, confused, trapped in the labyrinth of all her wrong doings, so very sorry and at the same time hating what she had become, a woman known for her many sins.
continued...
_____________________________
This is my Beloved. This is my friend. (Song of Solomon)
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RE: The woman who was healed of broken heart - 6/9/2008 3:58:40 PM
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kisstheson
Posts: 870
Joined: 5/1/2006
From: AOL
Status: offline
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Part 4
Why had she come to him? Had she heard that he was kind and merciful, accepting of outcasts and sinners? Had the report of him touching and healing lepers reached her ears? Yeshua was grateful to the Father for such a reputation. He realized how much three words, ‘I forgive you,” would comfort and restore this woman and just one gesture of genuine love would lift her from the garbage heap into the beautiful place the Father intended for her. But the moments of the woman at his feet were interrupted when two black bearded Pharisees advanced and threatened to drag her away.
Yeshua glared at them and quickly stretched out a defiant hand. Just as quickly the woman on her knees clung to his feet upon the cushions, which meant they would have to pry her hands off of what she considered her only protection, the man Yeshua Min N’Zareth!
Now the very fact that Yeshua himself had not scorned her gave her courage to remain. Like a protective curtain her hair hung down screening her face and his feet from scrutinizing eyes. Already Yeshua heard the unspoken thoughts of the men who tried to see what the dark haired woman was doing.
‘Scandalous!”
“Unveiling her hair like that in public…in front of men! Shameful!”
“If this man were a prophet he would know this woman is a sinner!”
“It was a terrible mistake to have invited him.”
“How dare people think he is holy man!”
“Now we know the truth about him displayed right before our eyes!”
‘He and she should leave this house at once!”
These thoughts rang in his spirit but his attention was not on the men but the poor woman who was weeping over his feet.
“Of course dear heart…I forgive you!’ Yeshua’s compassionate heart ached with the telling yet he did not at once say the words.
Did she sense he had forgiven her? Surely the woman did! She began to kiss his feet! His feet, unwashed, dusty and dirty smelling of the refuse of dusty roads traveled by man and beasts, his feet now running with her tears and covered with kisses of adoration and gratitude. Not just the top of his foot but the heel, the toes and the instep as well. Someone was actually thanking him in a most peculiar and generous way. A happy tear slipped past his closed eyelids. He was caught off guard by this show of affection, startled that someone dare approach their lips to his soiled feet. Repulsed most would be…why shimon, his host hadn’t even given him the customary kiss of greeting but here was this gracious woman lavishing his feet with tears and kisses! His joy deepened and overflowed with thanksgiving. Yeshua sat upright extending his hands over the woman, forgetting all who were watching, he breathed forgiveness with every kiss that graced his feet.
He remained locked in seclusion, in secrecy, for in his heart and mind no one but he and she could partake in this unconventional rite, but none the less holy rite performed by this repentant women, that suddenly exuded an intoxicating fragrance. A thousand flowers seemingly at once had blossomed and sprang up all around him! Yeshua opened his eyes. She was anointing his feet with perfume, rubbing the calluses on his heel and the bottom of each foot. Then with tender humility, the weighty glory of her tresses captured all the lingering moisture as she dried his feet with her hair.
To be continued...
_____________________________
This is my Beloved. This is my friend. (Song of Solomon)
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RE: The woman who was healed of broken heart - 6/10/2008 3:10:45 PM
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kisstheson
Posts: 870
Joined: 5/1/2006
From: AOL
Status: offline
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here's a little more of the story...
Suddenly words from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah caressed his heart “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news.” Yeshua understood his feet were beautiful because he always walked in obedience to the Father’s will. The Father’s will had taken him to house of Shimon the Pharisee. He was there to bring the good news of forgiveness to this woman. Her tears washed the dirt from his feet and her hair had chased away any lingering defilement of the dusty streets. To all eyes his feet now appeared beautiful and fragrant as the aromatic perfumed filled the court yard. She had come seeking cleansing from the filth of her sins but she had beautified him in the presence of his enemies and in doing that she had found her true self, her purpose, her passion…she was a worshipper, one who adored Ha Shem her Messiah! Her worship was not born of duty but love. Oh such a glorious work of transformation had been wrought in her spirit, such beauty in the light of his forgiveness!
But there was another scent in the room and it was a stench of arrogance, judgment and haughtiness invading Yeshua’s nostrils. He grieved for the Pharisees. If only they too would enter into this beautiful redemption that this woman was experiencing. He longed to help them…
“Shimon I have something to say to you.” Yeshau said, his heart full of love.
To be continued...
_____________________________
This is my Beloved. This is my friend. (Song of Solomon)
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