Repentance and peace

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Luke. This morning we’re going to continue our series on Life Lessons. This week repentance is our focus. Repentance.

Last weekend I sat around a dinner table with an orthodox priest and his wife, and a lapsed Roman Catholic French woman from New York City. (No, this isn’t my opening joke.) I brought up this topic of Repentance and asked them what they thought repentance is. ( Now to be fair, their answers don’t reflect official Orthodox or Catholic teaching, but this is just how they answered in the moment):

The French woman said, “Oh yes repentance. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s like light from heaven that comes down on you all of the sudden and it’s wonderful. And you just know you’ve repented and then you have faith. But not belief - I don’t like that word belief.”

I replied, “In my tradition, each person needs to be reconciled to God and must individually take action to accept God’s offer of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.”

Then the priest got visibly agitated and said, “If someone has repented, it’s obvious. You go to their house and there are crosses and icons everywhere, and they participate in the divine liturgy every week. Repentance is part of everything that happens in the full liturgical life of the church. Why are you divorcing repentance from the church and making it individualistic?”

And I said, “Because we’re going to stand before God as individuals, not in groups.”

Ok, I’ll add a third voice to this conversation - my friend Nathan from college. A long time ago when I talked to him about forgiveness he just shrugged and said, “Why would God send me to hell; I didn’t do anything.”

So then, is forgiveness a transcendent experience that just happens to you? Or is it something you gradually acquire over time as you participate in church? Or is it something you don’t need to do at all, because you “didn’t do anything?”

Confused yet? Yes, it is confusing when we use our own reasoning as a source of truth.

But I understand this can be a very hard topic for some people.

Pastor Jack wanted me to tell you that if this sermon bothers you, to please send an email to “[e-mail].” (That’s my opening joke.)

Ok, let’s start to bring clarity to this conversation.

Repentance is the act whereby one turns from his or her sin, idolatry, and rebellion and turns to God in faith.

Repentance is not just saying “sorry” and then blundering forward on the same path. The key verb there is “turn.” Turning from something dead and turning to Someone divine.

Repentance is not merely a one-time admission ticket to eternal life, nor is it a religious concept that I can take or leave without consequence.

Today, we will walk through a beautiful story - likely a familiar story - which we reviewed some months ago and now approach again. In this story we’ll see Jesus do something you’ve done many times: accept an invitation to dinner.

An unexpected guest will arrive, whose actions will unmask the unrepentant hearts around the table and also provide us a moving portrayal of how repentance increases our love for God.

Luke 7:36–50 NET 2nd ed.

Now one of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. Then when a woman of that town, who was a sinner, learned that Jesus was dining at the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfumed oil. As she stood behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. She wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfumed oil. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” So Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” He replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed him 500 silver coins, and the other fifty.When they could not pay, he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 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 of greeting, but from the time I entered she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfumed oil. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which were many, are forgiven, thus she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Here is our big idea today:

Big Idea: Walk the pathway of repentance to pass through the gateway of peace with God.

Notice the imagery of a path and a gate in the big idea. All paths lead somewhere. In your mind’s eye I want you to picture a pathway that you travel often. Picture yourself walking on it. Imagine it leads through a gateway that you’ve walked through many times. This will help you internalize the big idea.

Also note, the pathway of repentance leads through the gateway of peace with God and continues on. It’s the path you must walk to God, and it’s the peaceful path you continue to walk with God, even after you’ve passed through the gate.

Change Slide

Pathway Lanterns: A repentant heart produces love for God.

Pathway Lanterns: A repentant heart banishes contempt for others.

Pathway Lanterns: A repentant heart responds to God with faith.

Along this path are lanterns. A lantern illuminates your path so that you know you’re on the right path. Similarly, when you see these things happening in your own heart, you will know that you’re on the pathway of repentance and can enjoy peace with God.

Now we’re going to walk back through the Scripture phrase by phrase to capture the key moments. When you’re focusing on a passage you want to study, trying writing it out a phrase at a time. Look at the events one by one. Look at the causes and effects and dependencies in the story. This will help you get more out of it than simply reading through it and moving on.

“A certain Pharisee...”

This is all the biographical information we get about the man who invited Jesus to dinner.

You’ve probably heard about the Pharisees numerous times, but often explanations about them are quite one dimensional.

The Pharisees were a specific sect of the Jewish religion - one of many. They originated around 150 BC, though there’s debate about that. They tend to get a bad rap for being “religious” or “legalistic”, and certainly in the New Testament key members of the Pharisees played a significant role in condemning Christ.

Remember, during this time, Rome was the occupying force in Israel. The nation had had a brief period of independence in the last few centuries before Christ, but it was filled with religious and political upheaval. Eventually some of the Jews invited Rome in for protection and to restore national order.

Instead of abandoning the Greco-Roman culture, or becoming part of it like some of the Jewish groups, the Pharisees stayed in the culture and yet tried to remain faithful to God - much like we today are trying to do.

Their legalism and religious convictions were designed to help them - and other Jews - stay devoted to God in a very pagan culture. And like any group, not all Pharisees were the same. The Pharisees who desperately wanted to kill Jesus probably wouldn’t have invited him to dinner like this Pharisee Simon did.

We don’t detect in this story open hostility but we also don’t detect warmth or openness towards Christ. This dinner wasn’t a setup, or a pretext for religious cross examination; it was more of an evaluation.

Perhaps there was an element of status, having such a high-profile, controversial figure at his home for dinner. Simon invited Jesus; Jesus accepted, entered and reclined at the table. Now look at what happens next.

“And behold a woman, who was in the city, a sinner...”

This unnamed woman is labeled as a sinner. A woman - in the city - who was a sinner. Regardless of the exact category of her sins, they weren’t the type that could be hidden from sight. Her sins were known publicly and she was well aware of this fact. Can you imagine walking around your hometown and everyone knowing the main sins you commit, and holding it against you? This was her situation.

The woman knew where Jesus was going to be. She had heard of Jesus’ miracles and was burdened in her spirit. She wanted to come to him. She made a plan to interrupt the meal - filled with guests who would certainly have contempt for her. She came prepared and with intention. She spent her money on a gift of sorts; an alabaster jar of perfumed oil.

“And standing behind at his feet crying...”

Surely she had planned where she was going to stand and what she was going to do. More than likely she wasn’t planning to be overcome by emotion but somehow, being right next to Jesus overwhelmed her. There she was, standing behind Jesus at his feet. But before she could break the jar and pour out the oil, the tears began to flow.

“...with tears she began to wet his feet...and with the hairs of her head she was wiping dry...and she was kissing his feet...and was anointing with myrrh”

Things got physical quickly. Instead of just pouring out the myrrh and being done with it she dripped her tears on his feet, wiped them with her hair and repeatedly kissed them. Kissed them! Let’s pause here and think about the graphic nature of what she’s doing. Jesus was wearing sandals and had not washed his feet upon entering as his host hadn’t offered that courtesy. The woman is putting her mouth all over his feet while she’s crying, then wiping them with her hair, then rubbing the myrrh on them.

All of this and as far as the story reads, nobody has yet said a word about it! Think of the building awkwardness this must have produced for everyone. Jesus allows it to continue.

What was the point of all this? Why was she crying? Why did she buy him a gift? Why the public display? She wasn’t groveling. She was lamenting. She was repenting. And at the same time, she was showing love.

Now we come to our first pathway lantern:

Pathway Lanterns: A repentant heart produces love for God.

When you have a repentant heart, when you recognize the debt that you owe, when you sense the weight of blessing that comes from God’s forgiveness, then your heart will be filled with love for God just like this woman’s was.

When your heart is filled with love for God, this helps you know that you are walking the pathway of repentance through the gateway of peace with God.

Big Idea: Walk the pathway of repentance to pass through the gateway of peace with God.

Simon’s ruminations | Jesus’ response

Luke 7:39 (NET 2nd ed.)

Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.”

Surely Simon had heard about the other-worldly miracle Jesus recently performed in Nain where he touched a dead man’s coffin, spoke to him, and the man sat up. Surely, he had overheard the crowd’s exuberant words, glorifying God on account of Jesus - words which had spread through all the surrounding towns: “A great prophet has been raised among us! And God visited his people!”

This “great prophet” is now allowing this sinful woman to touch and repeatedly kiss him.

Simon assumed:

If Jesus were aware of “what sort of” woman this was he wouldn’t allow himself to be touched by her.

Jesus allowed himself to be touched; therefore, he must not be aware that this woman is a sinner.

Because Jesus apparently wasn’t aware, he must not be a prophet. Shockingly, Simon was able to set aside Jesus’ recent displays of supernatural power and dismiss them because of this logic.

It apparently didn’t occur to Simon that Jesus was both aware and allowed the event.

Here is a woman in his house, lamenting and in distress and it affects him not the slightest, except to confirm his own suspicion that Jesus couldn’t actually be a prophet.

Simon’s heart was unmoved by the woman’s repentance, because his own heart remained unmoved by repentance.

Jesus answered Simon’s very thoughts by telling him a story about two debtors. This accomplished two things:

Proved to Simon, using his own standard, that Jesus was indeed a prophet.

Tied Simon’s lack of love to a lack of repentance.

Now we come to our second pathway lantern:

Pathway Lanterns: A repentant heart banishes contempt for others.

When you practice the discipline of repentance, there is no place in your heart for contempt for other people’s sins and weaknesses. You don’t want to give people what they deserve, because God hasn’t given you what you deserve.

As you repent, you’re filled with a growing sense of gratitude and love, and instead of contempt for people, you have empathy. When this is true of you, you know you’re walking on the pathway of repentance and can enjoy peace with God.

Now, don’t be discouraged if this doesn’t describe you as often as you’d like. Our feelings change regularly and many times we can’t control how we feel. But we can continually come back to the spiritual discipline of repentance and ask God to work in our hearts.

Let’s look at what Jesus did next.

Two Debtors - An Opportunity to Love

Luke 7:40–43 NET 2nd ed.

So Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” He replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed him 500 silver coins, and the other fifty.When they could not pay, he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” Simon answered, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.” Jesus said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Who had the greater debt? Jesus talked about one person who owed 1/10th of the other. The Pharisee thought his debt was far less, but was it really? Is there really a person who owes God less?

Remember James 2:10. Whoever keeps the whole law, and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. We are all debtors to God and lawbreakers. This is what the Bible means when it uses the word “sinners.”

And this - right here - is the horse pill that many people will not swallow - the idea of being a sinner who owes God a debt they cannot pay. However, it’s a self delusion to think that measuring ourselves by our own standard will keep us from being subject to God’s judgment.

"Do you see this woman? I entered into your house...”

“I entered into your house” Jesus says. While Simon may have been able to dismiss Jesus’ story as an abstraction, Jesus now makes it personal for him. He walks through the events of the dinner step by step, comparing Simon’s actions to the woman’s actions:

Water for my feet you gave not

A kiss to me you gave not

With oil my head you did not anoint

With each statement, he follows “but she”

Now what is Jesus saying here? Is this is a prescription for how Christians should show hospitality to each other?

I mean, I go to Josh and Jamie Edmond’s house every week for life group. Never once have I received water for my feet. Never once have I received a kiss of greeting or oil for my head!

But anyone who has been a guest at their home receives love, right? A warm welcome, wonderful food that Jamie cooks, people who look you in the eye, talk to you, and are genuinely glad you’re there.

They show love and hospitality in a way that makes sense in today’s culture!

Simon did not. He kept Jesus at arm’s length and withheld hospitality and honor. Simon showed that he felt no internal need to repent and had no love for Jesus.

Simon acted more like my friend from college: ‘Why should I repent like that woman? I didn’t do anything.’

And then Jesus sums it up with this: “One who has been forgiven little, loves little.”

CHANGE SLIDE

The NET Bible (Second Edition) (Chapter 7)

He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Jesus tells her that her faith saved her. Her actions required great faith. She came to Jesus with a great debt of sin, which tormented her conscience and ruined her life. She received forgiveness and left in peace.

Do you realize that today you have the same opportunity?

Romans 5:1–2 NET 2nd ed.

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have also obtained access into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory.

Now we come to our last pathway lantern:

Pathway Lanterns: A repentant heart responds to God with faith.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 5 that through faith, we can have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ - exactly as the sinful woman did.

So why is it so hard for us to respond to God in faith? Why was it so hard for the Pharisee? There are many reasons; here are a few:

First, it requires us to do more than admit that we’re not perfect. After all, “nobody is perfect”, right? Admitting we’re not perfect is no great feat of humility. Really it’s a self-justifying statement. But repenting - that requires us to admit we are debtors who cannot repay, and who must rely completely on divine mercy and forgiveness. It’s hard to admit that! It’s far easier to shrug and say, “nobody’s perfect; I didn’t do anything.”

Another reason: we’ve convinced ourselves that our imperfections have very little impact on our daily lives. This is a terrible delusion. For both the believer and the unbeliever - sin is the problem. For the unbeliever - sin produces deadly consequences both now and into eternity. Your daily sins blind you, delude you, and separate you from God permanently. You lose everything. For the believer who has been forgiven, your sins numb you, confuse you, distract you, and make it difficult for you to have peace of mind and sense God’s presence. Lets rid ourselves of the delusion that our sins have little impact on us.

Let’s review where we’ve just been:

Pathway Lanterns: A repentant heart produces love for God.

Pathway Lanterns: A repentant heart banishes contempt for others.

Pathway Lanterns: A repentant heart responds to God with faith.

Let’s take a final look at our big idea before we talk about what to do with all this.

Big Idea: Walk the pathway of repentance to pass through the gateway of peace with God.

1 John 1:9–2:2 (NET 2nd ed.)

But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar and his word is not in us. (My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.) But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One, and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.

What about you?

Are you someone who has not yet put your faith in Christ and repented? John tells us that Jesus Christ is faithful and righteous and is our advocate. Repent today. Leave your sins behind you and enjoy peace with God.

Let’s look now at some practical considerations - which I’ll call stepping stones. These are things you can do to discipline yourself to walk the pathway of repentance.

Stepping Stones: Live a Lifestyle of Repentance

Ok, this is the opposite of saying, “I didn’t do anything.” However, this is also not a call to wallow in your sins and act like you have no victory over them.

What should you do?

Daily confession. Discipline yourself to confess your sins to God daily. There are many wonderful written prayers that you can use to help you do this. I put an example in your bulletin, which I’ll pray at the end.

You can take a prayer like that, memorize it, and use it daily. You can pause and mention specific sins you want to confess. This will help you get specific about your sin. And getting specific will help you cooperate with God to make changes so that you don’t continue in that sin.

Now this is uncomfortable. Part of you is going to want to squirm out of this and say, “I can’t really think of anything.” Can’t you?

What kinds of things went through your mind yesterday that you chose to dwell on? How much of your heart is so much more interested in pursuing your own desires, your own goals, than disciplining yourself to learn to follow God? What kind of language did you use yesterday, and what does that say about your heart? What kind of media did you consume? Did you complain yesterday? Were you spiritually apathetic? Did you hate someone?

See, it’s not hard to find reasons to repent before God; it’s just hard to be humble enough to do it.

At first you may feel like you’re just repeatedly listing out your problems and sins, and that’s an ok place to start. Don’t be discouraged. Eventually your time of confession will change. Confession will be something freeing for you, rather than something compulsory.

In the bulletin, I also listed a resource you might want to pick up called “A Way to Pray” by Matthew Henry. He took scriptures and turned them into prayers and put them into categories like Praise, Thanksgiving, Confession, Petition, and Intercession.

Stepping Stones: Let your confession increase your love for God, not your focus on yourself.

Walking the pathway of repentance is not about you focusing on your faults, your needs, your journey. It’s about increasing your love for God. A mental picture will help you do this! Use the mental picture of the woman from the story, weeping, kissing Jesus’ feet, pouring expensive perfume on his feet, and wiping them with her hair. She wasn’t focused on herself; she was focused on Christ.

Focusing on your problems will lead you to discouragement. Letting the discipline of repentance awaken your love for God will result in you walking in the light, and will greatly increase your love for God.

Stepping Stones: Let your daily repentance increase the mercy you show others

This is what the Pharisee in the story failed to do. When I’m reminded of the great debt I’ve been released from, when I continue to receive forgiveness and grace each day, when I walk in the light, I find it far easier to bear with the weaknesses and sins of those around me.

The next time you feel angry or critical towards someone, remember the woman at Jesus feet lamenting, repenting, and showing love. When you have that attitude towards God, you’re far more likely to be merciful to others.

I’ll close with the words of Apostle Paul in Romans 5. This is what happens when - putting our faith in Jesus - we walk the pathway of repentance and pass through the gateway of peace with God.

Romans 5:1–2 NET 2nd ed.

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have also obtained access into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory.

You don’t have unlimited opportunities to repent. Today is your opportunity. Don’t be stubborn. Repent. Enjoy peace with God and rejoice in the hope of God’s glory.

Let’s pray.

Book of Common Prayer: Almighty and most merciful Father | We have erred and strayed from your ways like lost sheep | We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own heart | We have offended against your holy laws | We have left undone those things which we ought to have done | And we have done those things which we ought not to have done | And apart from your grace there is no health in us | O Lord have mercy upon us | Spare all those who confess their faults | Restore all those who are penitent according to your promises declared to all people in Christ Jesus our Lord | And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may now live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen