A Sinner, A Pharisee, and a Savior Go to dinner Luke 7:36-50

Introduction:

This morning finds us once again in the Gospel of Luke as we Journey through the Life of Christ from Lukes Gospel that we have titled “The Son: From the Manger to the Cross.”

In the passage we have just read we see the account of Jesus attending a dinner party at the home of a Man named Simon (very common name in that day) who was a Pharisee, for the sake of clarity; we will refer to him as Simon the Pharisee. Interestingly, Luke is the only gospel writer to include this event in the life of Jesus.

We do not know exactly why Jesus was invited by Simon the Pharisee into his home to done but knowing a bit of the culture and history of the time may shed some light as to why.

It is quite possible that Jesus had preached in the synagogue that Sabbath and it was considered a meritorious act to invite visiting Rabbis to a Sabbath meal in your home.

It could also be that Simon was just curios to hear more of what Jesus had to say since he was causing such a stir everywhere he went.

Perhaps Simon like to boast of the celebrities he knew and by this point in Jesus ministry he had become a bit of a celebrity.

It is even very possible that Simon the Pharisee had some sort of spiritual interest. In the time in which Jesus lived there were small jewish study groups called “haberim” that held common meals for the purpose of religous studies. (Sort of like a modern small group)

Whatever the reason for the invitation from Simon the Pharisee we know that he had treated Jesus rudely upon his arrival because Jesus tells us this in the text.

Luke 7:44–46 (NKJV)

...I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet,...You gave Me no kiss,... You did not anoint My head with oil,...

All of these things were societal norms and common courtesies when someone was an honored diner guest. Normally when you would have a dinner guest in your home you would have placed your hand on his shoulder and given him a “kiss of peace.” Then a servant or the youngest in your family would have removed the persons sandals and washed his feet either when he entered or while he reclined at the table. Then the guest would have been anointed with a touch of olive oil. Again, all of this was common practice and courtesy and none of it was afforded Jesus. This was a purposeful snub by Simon as a way of saying he was better than Jesus.

v.39 tells us that Simon wasn’t even sure Jesus was a prophet much less the Messiah

We also know that Simon the Pharisee was apparently wealthy. In this time, the homes of the wealthy were built with a courtyard in center of the home. Often the host would open his home to the public and allow for spectators to stand around the courtyard and listen to the discussions. Again this typically happened when a rabbi or a celebrity was the main guest.

This is an important aspect to the event at hand. It means that Simons slight of Jesus was public. There were many present who could see the grimy and dirt covered feet of Jesus as he reclined at the table. (which would have been the typical posture for dinner.

There are three key players in the text we have just read this morning that we will observe as we unpack the events that have transpired.

The Sinful woman (v.37-38)

The self-righteous Pharisee (v.39)

The sympathetic savior (v.40-50)

Then at the conclusion of observing these three key players we will learn that there are two key points of application to take away from this event in Lukes Gospel.

1.) The Sinful woman. (v.37-38)

We do not know much about this woman other than the fact that she was a sinner.

We know that her presence being noticed and that fact that Jesus allowed himself to be touched by her caused a scene.

Luke 7:37 (NKJV)

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

There are only two reasons why this woman would be referred to in this way:

She was either married to a prominent sinner

She was a prostitute. Which is the most likely scenario and the one that most scholars seem to agree on( old and new) and the most apparent becuase of Simons repulsion of Jesus allowing her to touch him.

This woman though isn't remembered for her reputation, she is remembered for her repentance.

A.) She knew of her need.

We gather from the text that this was not this woman's first time to hear Jesus. She had likely heard Jesus plea for people to repent and it had pierced her heart. She knew she was a sinner. She knew she was unclean, defiled and lost in her sin. The guilt and weight of that sin had been too much for her to bear so she bowed herself in humble repentance over her sin and had experienced the sweet forgiveness that only faith in Christ can bring.

B.) She approached in gratitude

She didn't care about the scorn that would come or the gossip that would follow. Frankly shed already been a victim of all of that. She knew that chances were she could be thrown out of the house if Simon the Pharisee recognized her. (v.39 seems to indicate that he knew her).

But none of that mattered to her, she needed to express her gratitude to the one who had set her free from her sin and what better way to do it than to anoint him with her greatest possession to make up for the slight from Simon.

But, while behind Jesus with her gift, she is overcome to the point of tears that her tears begin to drip onto the feet of the savior. So having no towel, she uncovers her hair and begins to wash the Lords feet with her tears, kissing them as she went and then anointing then with her expensive and fragrant perfume.

This woman loved Jesus and was overcome with such emption for all she and been forgiven of she couldn't help but express it.

Application: This woman illustrates for us how we must all come before Jesus in humble repentance for our sin. Then when we find forgiveness for our sin, we express a deep abounding gratitude for all he has done.

Psalm 34:18 ESV

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

2.) The self-righteous pharisee. (v.39)

Luke 7:39 NKJV

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.”

There are three tings about Simon the Pharisee we learn from his reaction:

A.) Though self-righteous, he was considerate.

His mama had taught him well because he didn't say these things out loud.

Any one else's mom teach them “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” ?

He kept his nasty attitude to himself at let and didn't say it out loud. After all, he didn't want to embarrass his guest.

Isn’t that just like the self- righteous?

B.) He thought he was a better person.

To Simon the Pharisee he was better and holier than this sinful woman so he would never allow himself to be touched by someone of her standing. He would stay away and never have any contact, better to ignore her than to damage his reputation.

But, his self-righteousness goes deeper than that. He thought that his judgements, knowledge, opinions and behavior were superior to everyone else. He expected that if Jesus were the real deal, than he would behave toward this woman just like he did. As if Simon were the pinnacle of how people should behave.

Why, if Jesus knew who this woman was, he’d be appalled that she is touching him.”

There are still many many people today who act this exact same way. Who feel that they are superior to everyone else because they have

• a nicer house

• a better job

• higher education

• a better religion

• a more well behaved child

• a better upbringing

• more income

• more talent

• better success

etc.

C.) He saw no need for repentance and forgiveness.

After all he was religious. He took the practice of his religion very seriously. He was a Pharisee, someone who devoted every aspect of his life to the practice of his religion. If anyone was good enough for heaven, it was him.

Not only was he hyper religious but he was also a very good person. He had good manners, lived a decent and moral life, was highly respected by those around him. He felt he had done nothing to warrant forgiveness.

Proverbs 30:12 ESV

There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.

3.) The sympathetic savior (v.40-50)

Jesus observing this woman's display of deep affection and thankfulness toward him and knowing Simons self-righteous thoughts addresses Simon with a parable. Jesus speaking up would have hushed the room and demanded attention.

Remember, Simon had, in his mind, questioned Jesus as a prophet.

Jesus was that and more. He is the very Son of God. The God-Man. What Simon thought paled in comparison to the One who knows all things, including our secret thoughts. He knows the truth of every man, woman, boy and girl. If you're self-righteous, he knows it. If you're repentant, he knows it. No one can hide anything from him. No thought, no feeling, no deed goes unseen by the Lord.

1 Peter 3:12 NKJV

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

The Parable:

Luke 7:41–42 NKJV

“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?”

The debtors in this parable are being used as a metaphor for two sinners. Both men have considerable debts because a denarius was equivalent to one day’s wage for a common working man. Quite simply, it would take fifty working days to eliminate the one man’s debt, and 500 for the other! These were incredible debts considering that average wages were barely enough for mere existence.

The meaning of this little parable is pretty striking. Jesus was saying that the sinful woman washing his feet was a “500” sinner and Simon a “50” sinner. Outwardly, this woman was ten times the sinner that Simon was. He indeed was a better person than this prostitute. She was dirty and defiled. She had been wallowing in her sin. But, Simon in his religious rigidity had kept himself from those things, but, he was still a sinner. He had the same problem that she did, he was held captive by sin.

It seems like Jesus story though flew right over the head of Simon because he had to explain it to him.

The only hope that either debtor had was for their debt to be forgiven by the creditor. Just as the only hope that both the sinful woman and the self-righteous pharisee had for their sinfulness was to be forgiven by the Lord.

This woman’s sins were numerous. Jesus wasn’t overlooking that fact. Nor was he overlooking the serious nature of her sins. However he forgave her sins despite all of that. Just as he can yours this morning. This woman was expressing her love for Jesus in a deep way because she he had forgiven her of deep sin.

However, being self-righteous Simon sensed the need for little forgiveness, so he loved God little. He had a formal and distant relationship with God. It was cold and lifeless because he didn't need forgiveness in his eyes. He could manage it all himself. He was blind to his need of salvation from the grip of his self-righteous sin

Jesus, pronounced this sinful woman to be forgiven of all her sin and he did it in the presence of those who judged her the most. Yet he allowed Simon to go on in his self-righteousness bound for eternal judgement. Only Jesus has the power to deliver you from your sin, if you're relying on yourself you are destined for Hell.

Matthew 7:21 NKJV

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Conclusion:

This is a beautiful scene from the life of Christ that teaches us two very powerful lessons, allow me to give them to you quickly:

Pride will hold us captive to sin.

Self-righteousness is noting more than pride. It is a futile attempt to ignore our own sin by concentrating on the sin of others. This is exactly what Simon the Pharisee was guilty of. Pride blinds our souls so that we cannot see our sinful condition and see Jesus for who he really is. It is nothing more than selfish pride that damns many to hell.

Humility sets us free!

Humility sees the truth of who we really are before the Lord. When we humble ourselves before Jesus in repentance and faith it is then we receive the gift of God’s grace.

Jesus said to the woman:

Luke 7:50 (NKJV)

“...Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

The sinful woman left Simons home in peace that day. Probably the happiest woman in town. Why? She was forgiven and freed from sin. Free to live no longer in shame because she had been forgiven.

You can experience that same forgiveness today if you come to the savior.