We learned a bit about the Pharisees last time: “Because of their refusal to humble themselves to God’s offer of righteousness through Jesus Christ, the Pharisees and lawyers continued in their own legalistic ways to establish their own righteousness. And they continued to lord over the people by imposing their own expanded version of the Mosaic law upon them.”
Now we’re following Jesus over to Simon the Pharisee’s house for a meal together with about ten other specially invited guests. These were seated at a Roman style triclinium in one of the rooms. Many from nearby had gathered outside, and even inside the home as the host usually provided food for the town as well.
Luke 7:36
Then one of the Pharisees asked hm to eat with him. And he went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat.
Why did Simon, a Pharisee, invite Jesus over to his home for dinner?
It was a custom in that time for an established religious leader in a community to invite a new, up-and-coming teacher to a dinner in his honor. It was still early in Jesus’ ministry, and only a few of the religious leaders had taken note of him. But the crowds that followed him were growing and his popularity was increasing.
And from the crowd that had gathered to greet Jesus, we can see that his ministry was attracting not only curiosity seekers, but also those who desired what he had been preaching—God’s forgiveness and healing.
Luke 7:37,38
And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at his feet behind him weeping; and she began to wash his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed his feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.
How unusually bold was this woman who was considered of very little worth. As a woman and a sinner, most would look upon her with contempt. Yet she was willing to bear the scorn and rejection because of her love and reverence for Jesus.
And what did she offer to Jesus? Some say that the fragrant oil alone would have cost about an average year’s worth of wages. In deep humility, she washed his feet—a job for the lowliest of servants—with her own tears of repentance and humility. Then she dried them with her hair, the glory of a woman (I Corinthians 11:14). But Simon was not impressed.
Luke 7:39
Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, “This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.”
No one has spoken a word since the woman first came in. But we do get to “hear” Simon’s unspoken thoughts of evil, not only toward her, but also for Jesus. Jesus perceives his silent condemnation of the woman and addresses it.
Luke 7:40-42
And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”
So he said, “Teacher, say it.”
“There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love him more?”
Notice how Jesus is beginning to lead Simon into a greater understanding of God’s will. Simon at least grudgingly follows along.
Luke 7:44
Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.”
And he said to him, “You have rightly judged.”
Jesus then explains to Simon, with some very pointed (and personal) examples of true love vs. self-righteousness.
Luke 7:44-47
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has washed my feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss my feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint my head with oil, but this woman has anointed my feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
Jesus cuts to the heart of the issue. It had nothing to do with Simon’s superior social status or this woman’s bad past. God is loving and forgiving. Anyone can come to the Father and be cleansed. And as Jesus rightly pointed out, those who are forgiven the most are often the most thankful.
Luke 7:48,49
Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
This Pharisee got more than he had bargained for when he invited Jesus to his home. Pharisees, scribes, and other religious leaders believed that God alone could forgive sin (Mark 2:7; Luke 5:21). If a man told anyone that their sins were forgiven, it was considered to be blasphemy, punishable by death (John 10:33).
But of course, many people of his time did not realize that Jesus was the only begotten Son of God, purposely sent by God to forgive sin (John 5:18). Jesus basically ignores the condemning chatter around him, and confirms God’s love bestowed upon this woman, the now forgiven sinner. It was her faith, her simple trust in God’s savior, that brought her true peace.
Luke 7:50
Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
NEXT: Following the Lord Jesus Christ: #37 The Two Spiritual Kingdoms
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One reply on “Following the Lord Jesus Christ: #36 The Woman Who Was a Sinner”
Thanks Sherry! Love, forgiveness, and peace from our Savior!