"We are Free"

“The greatest Resolution ever made”

Luke 7:18–50 NKJV

18 Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. 19 And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 20 When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” 21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. 22 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. 23 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” 24 When the messengers of John had departed, He began to speak to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed those who are gorgeously appareled and live in luxury are in kings’ courts. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 28 For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 And when all the people heard Him, even the tax collectors justified God, having been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. 31 And the Lord said, “To what then shall I liken the men of this generation, and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not weep.’ 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children.” 36 Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him. And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat. 37 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, 38 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. 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.” 40 And Jesus answered and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, say it.” 41 “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have rightly judged.” 44 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. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 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.” 48 Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

(Powerpoint overview of the book of Luke- Technology Committee)

Introduction: Today we will be looking at three individuals who interacted with Jesus. All played different roles, all responded differently. My prayer today is that we see three examples of who we can be in 2023. For many churches, 2020 started off as a year of vision, 2021 was a year of re-gathering, and 2022 seemed to carry the theme of transformative growth. Our Pastor, last fall gave us the vision of a “garden environment” of the church. He challenged us to care for an environment that promotes growth as a believer, leader, family member, and individual.

Example One:

In the first section we see that John is somewhere where he is not able to reach Jesus himself. Matt 11:2

Matthew 11:2 NKJV

2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples

Based on chronology, John is in prison at this point and perhaps is experiencing some doubt. He read of the Messiah who was going to “set captives free”. John sends out two disciples to Jesus to ask the question, “Hey are you the One we are waiting for?” Do I need to wait longer?? Look at what verse 21 states. Circle these items: In that instance He {Jesus} Cured many of:

A) Infirmities

B) Afflictions

C) Evil Spirits

D) The blind were given sight

In the preceding chapters of Luke, Jesus was healing many people, restoring them, and sending them about their way. This trend will only continue. This is a visual indicator of what He seeks to do with people “spiritually”.

Jesus explains to the disciples to report back to John regarding these items (Vs. 22-23).

As Jesus sent back the disciples to John, Jesus begins to speak to the multitude regarding John. Jesus breaks a part who and what John means to Him, He is the proclaimer and the messenger of the Messiah. Although John is locked up, Jesus values Him! He calls Him the greatest prophet to ever lived. We must now look at verse 28. The proclaimer is never equal to the fulfilment. Leading up to these passages Luke is writing about the kingdom to come and its principles and teachings. Although John is considered the greatest prophet, He does not equal to those who will experience the kingdom. In essence, the mission of John the Baptist was near completion.

Example two: (Only Luke mentions this interaction)

Jesus now faces a shift, where the people ( plus tax collectors) begin to dissect what Jesus is teaching. The Pharisees and lawyers decide to reject the “will of God”. It has been said that here was the dividing line of those who believed and those (through the ministry of John and Jesus) rejected God.

Jesus’ response is one of a kind and quite pointed. Perhaps in verses 31-32 Jesus is referring to children games that often would be played. Jesus notes that these spiritual religious leaders picked a part John’s ministry. Later on they picked apart Jesus’ ministry. We could not have two more different people in ministry together, and these people are just not satisfied!

After this dialogue a Pharisee, Simon, invites Jesus into His home. Why would a Pharisee to do? We just witnessed and read that they rejected Him! So why? Perhaps, Jesus at this point was becoming a public figure, and it could be that a Pharisee would invite a passing traveler into His home for a meal.

Note a few odd events that took place:

Jesus walked in and sat down

No anointing oil, no feet washing, and no mention of a Holy Kiss.

It appears that Simon was inviting Jesus into His home to just say that he did it. It appears that Simon was keeping Jesus to a social relationship. He was keeping him at a shallow depth. We do this at times throughout our walk. We want to say we have a relationship, we make mention of Him, we attend services, we say we pray… but it is left at a mere and shallow social relationship.

Example three:

While Jesus is at Simon’s house, a women of reputation comes in. She begins to do the acts that the host should have done when Jesus entered the house. Now you must imagine how things were laid out. We now have two very different people in the presence of Jesus. Back in this day, they did not have tables like we do. They may have been laying on one arm and their feet behind them. So while Jesus and Simon are sitting there this women is probably behind Jesus at His feet. It is interesting she is labeled as “A sinner”. It appears that everyone knew this. Perhaps the reason she entered the scene was because she heard the message “Come to me, all who are weak and heavy laden”.

Look at the response from Simon in verse 39. “Hey, I invited you”. He begins to question if Jesus is really a prophet, because this women was not living up the standards of the typical pharisee. “If only you knew Jesus”...

Jesus's response is something we all need to hear. Vs 40-42.

Jesus asks Simon, “Do you see this women?” I just wander if Jesus after his message on love and forgiveness, was really asking Simon, “Do you see this woman like I do?”

After all, Simon was a sinner too, with more private sins that were not made public. They were not cast at the feet of Jesus.

Read Vs. 44-47.

Jesus looks at the women and says “Your sins are forgiven”. The Pharisees seem as though they begin to ponder who is this guy? I love what it says in Mark 8 where Peter was asked by Jesus “Who do you say that I am”? His response is the Messiah but that was what everyone was looking for. A messiah to redeem them from the Roman empire; not a Savior to redeem and restore our souls. In the book of Mark that interaction is placed right after the healing of a blind man. Jesus spits on his eyes and put his hands on him. And what happened? He only saw partially, “I see men like trees walking”. He didn't see clearly, so Jesus put his hands back over his eyes again and made the man “look up”, and the man saw.

It has been said that many miracles were performed but the one that really got peoples attention was blind people being able to see. No ordinary man could do that. In some ways, all three examples of people had a form of blindness or blurriness at some point.

The women has now been forgiven! Jesus sends her out by three amazing words that most of humanity seeks. “Go in PEACE”. Can you imagine the relief that this women experiences?

If the men would come forward for the Lord’s supper.

1 Corinthians 11:27 tells us that a man must examine himself. Much like the woman surely did as she was in the presence of Jesus.

Examine & Prayer

Pray over the bread:

This passage back in Luke may seem scattered at first, but when you start to take a look at the melodic line that Luke is trying to convey to Theopholis so that he may be certain of the things in which he has been told, you realize what is happening.

1. John found himself in an interesting circumstance that had him limited. The woman had her fair share of circumstances. I don't know what you or we as a church may face for circumstances in the new Year, but what I can tell you is that at the feet of Jesus, we are forgiven! He will give you rest, and provide peace!

The bread- my body which was broken for you. His whole body broken, for you and I. “Do this in rememberance of Me”

Prayer over the Cup:

2. The pharisee kept Jesus at a social distant relationship, and wouldn’t allow Him to puncture his heart. Simon is doing something that we do way too often. We don’t allow things to affect us. We are not sensitive to people. Simon was focused on “getting it right” when it comes to the law and religious matters- but he missed the whole point. We need to spend time longing after Jesus. We need to spend time at the feet of Jesus even beyond our salvation prayer. Men, we sometimes do this. We keep God an arm lengths away, some days we need him some days we don’t. But, even John had moments of doubt and disbelief. We need to be at the feet of Jesus. We need to interact with God’s Word.

In his book, The love of God, Oswald Chambers says this:

“Drink deep and full of the love of God, and you will not demand the impossible from earth’s loves; then the love of wife and child, of husband and friend, will grow holier and healthier and simpler and grander”.

“Oh taste and see that the Lord is good: Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him -Psa 34:8

3. The woman with all her baggage in life, was forgiven. There will be days in 2023 where we need a lot of love, correction; but it results in total forgiveness. This goes for our relationships and our actions.

Time spent at the feet of Jesus is life altering. It bears much relief today, and much reward eternally.

In the same manner He took the cup, - this cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do in remembrance of Him who set us free by the shedding of His blood.

In all three instances we see that Jesus wasn’t worried about one’s circumstances or reputation. He cared mostly that they spent time at His feet; not just His presence. He cared that they realized who He was, what He was here to fulfill, so that every man has the opportunity to live eternally with God.

John was eventually set free, the woman was set free, the lame walk, the blind see, the deaf hear, the lepers cleansed, the dead are raised, and the poor have heard the gospel!

In 2023, as a church we need to be intentional. At times we get stuck in a shallowness of conversation and interaction. We need to seek Jesus, we need to interact with our church family in a spiritual way, and we need to extend love, forgiveness and peace as Jesus did. We must proceed realizing we are set free and in peace. Fellow believers are set free (do we view them like this?) Regardless of circumstances?

John, the woman, and the many people who were healed all have something in common. They were restored, set free, and went forth in peace. Simon, was the only individual in this passage to not experience peace or forgiveness- yet most likely was very knowledgeable about the law.

“Set Free- Hope Darst-

"Set Free"

Here I surrender, lay down every weight Remember Your love has broken all my chains What You have finished cannot be undone The work of the cross was more than enough There is a promise written in Your scars I am forgiven, changed by who You are What You have finished, I will not forget Oh, I'm buried with Christ, I'm raised from the dead No longer bound in chains No longer blind, I see This is amazing grace Jesus alive in me No longer bound in chains No longer blind, now I see This is amazing grace Jesus alive in me No longer bound in chains No longer blind, I see This is amazing grace Jesus alive in me Oh, I've been set free, oh, I've been set free Sin has no hold, shame has no power No power over me Found in Your mercy, oh, I've been washed clean You call me whole, saved and redeemed I've been set free Yes, You call me whole, saved and redeemed I've been set free

1 Cor. 11 ends with “For as often as you eat this bred and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” Are we doing this? Are we testifying of how we are set free and go in peace each day to the world around us? Most people around us are bound at the moment, and we carry the greatest news that Jesus can set them free.

“We are set Free- Go in Peace”

There may be someone here today who desires peace but has kept any discussion or topic of Jesus to a distance. What a day it would be to spend time at the feet of Jesus. There will be no peace without the forgiveness of sin.