What chance does an average sinner have?
Notes
Transcript
Setting the stage
Setting the stage
Read Luke 7:36
Read Luke 7:36
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat.
Who was this Pharisee and why did he invite Jesus to dinner?
Who was this Pharisee and why did he invite Jesus to dinner?
The Pharisee is named Simon. This is probably not the same as the anointing at Bethany, almost a year later but has very similar story line.
The Pharisee is named Simon. This is probably not the same as the anointing at Bethany, almost a year later but has very similar story line.
Generally this type of dinner was held outside in an open area which allowed many people to come, even some who were uninvited often stood in background listening if there was a special teacher invited, like Jesus. In fact such eavesdropping was considered a compliment to the host family for inviting such an honored guest.
Generally this type of dinner was held outside in an open area which allowed many people to come, even some who were uninvited often stood in background listening if there was a special teacher invited, like Jesus. In fact such eavesdropping was considered a compliment to the host family for inviting such an honored guest.
Maybe he just wanted to honor Jesus. Maybe he saw Jesus as a social trophy or conversation piece, which would bring others to his dinner who he wanted to impress. It could be Simon had questions and saw a dinner like this a a good opportunity to ask those questions. What could be other reasons?
Maybe he just wanted to honor Jesus. Maybe he saw Jesus as a social trophy or conversation piece, which would bring others to his dinner who he wanted to impress. It could be Simon had questions and saw a dinner like this a a good opportunity to ask those questions. What could be other reasons?
Read Luke 7:37-38
Read Luke 7:37-38
When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.
We have no idea who this woman is other than a “sinner.” Some conjecture it is Mary Magdalene or Mary of Bethany but there is nothing to support either.
We have no idea who this woman is other than a “sinner.” Some conjecture it is Mary Magdalene or Mary of Bethany but there is nothing to support either.
What do the actions of this woman indicate?
What do the actions of this woman indicate?
She is identified as a prostitute.
She is identified as a prostitute.
She came with the intent of showing her gratitude to Jesus by anointing him with the perfume in the jar. Unfortunately she was such a mess that even saying thank you became a confusing embarrassment. She began to cry profusely and with nothing to wipe off the tears she loosened he hair and used that. In Jewish culture this was just another sin which she could add to the list. A woman’s hair was to be bound until her wedding day. Also approaching a man with this type of intimacy was unthinkable. In today’s culture, the paparazzi, would have a field day with this.
She came with the intent of showing her gratitude to Jesus by anointing him with the perfume in the jar. Unfortunately she was such a mess that even saying thank you became a confusing embarrassment. She began to cry profusely and with nothing to wipe off the tears she loosened he hair and used that. In Jewish culture this was just another sin which she could add to the list. A woman’s hair was to be bound until her wedding day. Also approaching a man with this type of intimacy was unthinkable. In today’s culture, the paparazzi, would have a field day with this.
Read Luke 7:39-40
Read Luke 7:39-40
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!”
Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.”
“Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.
The unsolicited dialogue
The unsolicited dialogue
In John 2:25 we are told that Jesus didn’t need to be told but knew what everyone was thinking.
In John 2:25 we are told that Jesus didn’t need to be told but knew what everyone was thinking.
Simon thinks it and Jesus responds. Do we get anything from Simon’s response to Jesus’ question?
Simon thinks it and Jesus responds. Do we get anything from Simon’s response to Jesus’ question?
One of the shortest parables of Jesus.
One of the shortest parables of Jesus.
Read Luke 7:41-42
Read Luke 7:41-42
Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”
What can we glean from this parable?
What can we glean from this parable?
A denarii was the equivalent of one day’s wages. Most of the people lived hand to mouth, so owing someone 50 denarii would be hard to pay back but with cutting corners here and there, over time it could be done. To owe someone 500 denarii was hopeless. The person would need to work a year and a half and put everything toward the debt while finding another source of income to cover daily substance.
A denarii was the equivalent of one day’s wages. Most of the people lived hand to mouth, so owing someone 50 denarii would be hard to pay back but with cutting corners here and there, over time it could be done. To owe someone 500 denarii was hopeless. The person would need to work a year and a half and put everything toward the debt while finding another source of income to cover daily substance.
There is no hesitation by the moneylender allowing both debtors to be released from their debts.
There is no hesitation by the moneylender allowing both debtors to be released from their debts.
The bigger the debt the more the one forgiven will love to lender and possibly visa-versa.
The bigger the debt the more the one forgiven will love to lender and possibly visa-versa.
Read Luke 7:43
Read Luke 7:43
Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”
“That’s right,” Jesus said.
What do you think Simon is thinking now?
What do you think Simon is thinking now?
The application
The application
Read Luke 7:44-46
Read Luke 7:44-46
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.
It is uncharacteristic for Jesus to be so blunt with someone. He more often left the application to the person(s) to use in their own lives. But here he tells Simon like it is.
It is uncharacteristic for Jesus to be so blunt with someone. He more often left the application to the person(s) to use in their own lives. But here he tells Simon like it is.
He directed Simon to the woman and compared her actions to the actions which Simon had neglected.
He directed Simon to the woman and compared her actions to the actions which Simon had neglected.
There were certain protocols given to guests in those days and for some reason Simon had neglected all of them.
There were certain protocols given to guests in those days and for some reason Simon had neglected all of them.
Simon was one of the upper crust and knew proper social procedures. 1) A Host would greet a guest by placing a hand on the shoulder and give them a kiss of peace. 2)Then cool water was poured over sandal-clad feet, for comfort, cleanliness and courtesy. 3) Finally some perfume was touched on the guest’s head as a signal of affection and respect.
Simon was one of the upper crust and knew proper social procedures. 1) A Host would greet a guest by placing a hand on the shoulder and give them a kiss of peace. 2)Then cool water was poured over sandal-clad feet, for comfort, cleanliness and courtesy. 3) Finally some perfume was touched on the guest’s head as a signal of affection and respect.
Why would Simon neglect these basic procedures?
Why would Simon neglect these basic procedures?
Read Luke 7:47-48
Read Luke 7:47-48
Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
What chance does and average sinner have?
What chance does and average sinner have?
What is the difference between a great sinner and an average sinner, if any?
What is the difference between a great sinner and an average sinner, if any?
Sometimes people don’t believe they need Jesus because they are good enough and can solve their own problems. Then there are those who find Jesus is the only refuge.
Sometimes people don’t believe they need Jesus because they are good enough and can solve their own problems. Then there are those who find Jesus is the only refuge.
If all sinners, when receiving grace, are invited to the ultimate party, are the ones forgiven much going to have a better time?
If all sinners, when receiving grace, are invited to the ultimate party, are the ones forgiven much going to have a better time?
Both John Newton and Charles Wesley were hymn writers who found God’s grace but came from very different backgrounds. Who do you think is enjoying the party more?
Both John Newton and Charles Wesley were hymn writers who found God’s grace but came from very different backgrounds. Who do you think is enjoying the party more?
Charles Wesley or John Newton; Simon or the prostitute, you and me; who has the most reason to be grateful? We all can only make it by the grace of God. Maybe it was what we were saved out of or saved from. Whether our name is Simon or “great sinner” they will still strike up the homecoming party when we enter into the presence of God.
Charles Wesley or John Newton; Simon or the prostitute, you and me; who has the most reason to be grateful? We all can only make it by the grace of God. Maybe it was what we were saved out of or saved from. Whether our name is Simon or “great sinner” they will still strike up the homecoming party when we enter into the presence of God.