The Pharisee’s meal
Luke 7:36 “And one of the Pharisees desired Him (Jesus) that He would eat with him. And He went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.”
Jesus had been speaking about John the Baptist (verses 24-28)….the forerunner of the Messiah. But…
Luke 7:30 “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. (John)”
Notice, that John’s call to repentance was rejected. That was the counsel of God for them…for all Israel, to repent of their lax ways….their greedy ways….their self-righteous ways…. to welcome the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Savior and King. (Luke 3:7-9)
But the Pharisees rejected this counsel from God….Him speaking through John the Baptist the best advice to get right with God, that their hearts might be opened to receiving the Christ.
After hearing Jesus speak, one of the Pharisees invites Him to come and eat with him (probably thinking he was giving Jesus an advantage by being there).
For the Pharisee….Jesus was on trial. The Pharisee would listen to what He said, then judge for himself about “this man”.
But what this Pharisee didn’t understand was,….that he was on trial. “What will you do with Jesus?” was always the theme of every encounter….for Jesus came to save His people from their sins.
What would the Pharisee, Simon, do about that?
Enter,…the sinful woman:
Luke 7:36-37 “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.”
When do we see our sin?
When do we come to Christ Jesus, the Lord? When do we “see” Him for Who He is?
God’s goodness…when it is realized by the sinner….is the only thing that leads us to true repentance.
In the light of God’s mercy, grace, and love….in sending His Beloved Son as Savior for us….then we see our sin…(and if we are fortunate), we see it as in the eyes of a Holy God…
…and repent and adore Him for His forgiveness.
This woman, a sinner, came to Jesus for forgiveness….yet notice she does not ask Him for anything….
….but her heart and actions speak volumes!
She stood behind His feet, weeping.
(Most meals were eaten in a half laying down position…so Jesus feet were beside Him…not under Him.)
When she saw that He did not rebuke her, a sinner, for being there….what mercy! Then she began to wash His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair.
(Perhaps she saw that they were dusty….for Simon had not washed His feet when He entered…but she did)
Then, when they were clean, she kissed them….surely, she, a sinner, could not even be so bold as to kiss His hand….no, she knew she was greatly privileged to kiss His feet.
Then she took that alabaster box of ointment…which would have been expensive….and anointed His feet….for she knew that every part of Jesus was precious.
Luke 7:39 “Now when the Pharisee which had bidden Him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if He were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth Him: for she is a sinner.”
It is interesting to note that Simon knew she was a sinner, yet failed to see his own sin.
(Are we not the same way at times?)
But Jesus is going to “answer” his unspoken criticism and judgment…with Truth.
If Simon will see it, when it is pointed out to him….perhaps, there will be another sinner, seeking for forgiveness from Jesus.
“And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee….” (Luke 7:40)
First Jesus gave the story of two debtors….one owing 500 pence….the other 50 pence. The creditor forgave both of the debtors….
…but the question I have for you, Simon, is…which would love the creditor most?
Simon quickly answered the question….correctly: the one that owed the creditor the most money…for he was forgiven the most.
Jesus told Simon, that concerning the question….he judged correctly….
….but, concerning Him….his judgment had been wrong.
If He (Jesus) had even just been a prophet….surely Simon would have treated Him with care and honor….but he had not.
Then Jesus showed Simon his many errors….in polite custom….and in love to Him….Who was more than a prophet…for He was a Savior.
When Jesus came in….no water was even provided for Him. (usually servants…or if it was a special person, the householder himself would wash the guest’s feet.)
Simon had not kissed Him. (again, a custom for guests.)
Simon had not provided or given oil for Jesus’ head.(which was always done, as a perfume before seating to eat, and as a mark of gladness that the person is there.)
“Why were these things not done, Simon? Because you love “little”. Your self-righteousness is always judging others, but you believe you don’t need to be forgiven….much…
….so you love God’s great gift, in the person of Me, God’s Son…”little”.
You think you honor Me with a meal….
…but this woman has honored Me with her love….which she gave without request.
This woman, has loved much, for she acknowledges in her actions, that she has sinned much, and that I am able to forgive her”
….and now He finally speaks to her:
Luke 7:48 “And He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.”
Imagine:
Forgiven! All my sins….at once, forgiven forever!
Luke 7:50 “And He (Jesus) said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
Here was a message to all who were there….Simon and all his Pharisee friends….if they would hear it:
Faith in Jesus, saves.
Faith in Jesus, leads to peace.
Faith in Jesus, is shown in the love we have for Him….for He is Lord and Savior.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 