God’s Love Changes Everything:
(Luke 7:36-50):
“Perhaps the most serious charge that can be brought against modern Christians is that we are not sufficiently in love with Christ.” (A.W. Tozer)
- An Insincere Invitation from a Critical Host (Luke 7:36)
One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. Luke 7:36
- The lack of hospitality confirms that Simon the Pharisee was not truly wanting to learn more about Jesus. He wanted a reason not to follow
- Jesus loves and cares for sinners, no matter who they are or what they have done.
- An Intimate Interruption from a Repentant Woman (Luke 7:37-39)
And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” Luke 7:37-39
- What was on Jesus’ mind was not her guilt, but her worth.
- The sinful woman’s worship was both expressive and expensive.
- An Interesting Illustration of our Sin Debt (Luke 7:40-43)
And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.” “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” Luke 7:40-43
- The parable does not deal with the amount of sin in a person’s life but the awareness of that sin in the heart.
- The point of the parable is that she loved so much because her many sins were forgiven.
- An Important Insight on Biblical Forgiveness (Luke 7:44-47)
Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” Luke 7:44-47
- You will never understand how great a Savior Jesus is until you see how great a sinner you are.
- It is only when you see your goodness is worthless that you will see God’s grace as priceless.
- An Incredible Identity from a Forgiving Savior (Luke 7:48-50)
And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:48-50
- The miracle of salvation is the greatest miracle of all, for it meets the greatest need, brings the greatest results, and costs the greatest price.
- The sinful woman was forgiven, transformed and commissioned.
Principles for Today
- The story of the sinful woman and the self-righteous Pharisee is a perfect example of Jesus’ infinite compassion for all lost people. Jesus can take a sinner and make him or her into a child of God.
- The woman does not care about social rules and political correctness. She does not care about saving face. She does not care about impressing others. All she cares about is expressing her love and gratitude to Jesus.
- Simon only saw a sinner; Jesus saw a sinner who was ready for salvation. Seeing people through Jesus’ loving eyes can make all the difference.
Making it Personal
- What is our devotion and service to Jesus like? Do we treat Him like Simon did? Do we invite Him into our lives, but really don’t give Him the honor He deserves?
- He who is forgiven the most will also love the most. Are you having problems in your spiritual love life? Go back to the cross and see how much you have been forgiven.
- As you examine your own heart what do you discover? Are you more like the self-righteous Pharisee Simon who does not see the sinfulness of his heart? Or, are you like the sinful woman who is fully aware of her sin and unworthiness, and throws herself at the feet of Jesus because He is the only person she can go to and find forgiveness?