FORGIVNESS IS PROVED BY GRATITUDE

Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII (Saved by Faith (Luke 7:36–50 ))

“Triumphant Faith! Hers is a conquering path to Heaven, With feet fire-shod, because her hand is placed Immovably in God’s; her eye doth rest Unchangeably on His.”—Miss TATHAM.

The Importance of Recognizing One’s Need (7:36–50)

The waywardness of the Pharisees and scribes is once again showcased in 7:36–50. In this passage the focus is on recognizing one’s need and indebtedness to God. First, a woman with a sullied reputation anoints Jesus’ feet, and this provokes a critical response from the Pharisees. Jesus points out that she has done something wonderful for him and then tells a parable to show that those who are most humbly aware of their sinfulness demonstrate that awareness by feeling the greatest degree of grateful love.

This Pharisee desired Jesus that He would eat with him, but he did not desire this woman, branded with the name “sinner,” to come into his house. Her faith in the pity and compassion of Christ must have been strong when it constrained her to follow Him into such a house and at such a time. Such sorrowful sinners are never found weeping at a Pharisee’s feet. There is a holy, winsome magnetism in the love of God, as manifested in the Person of Jesus Christ; the vilest may draw nigh and find the blessing of “eternal redemption.”

The Parable of the Two Debtors (7:40–50)

Jesus knows the thoughts of those eating with him, so he tells a parable about two debtors. Jesus describes the amounts owed by each debtor and says they are both forgiven their debts. Then he asks which debtor loves the lender more. Simon, the host, realizes that there is a relationship between the love of the one forgiven and the amount he was forgiven. Jesus applies the lesson of the parable to the woman who has anointed his feet. Then he declares the woman’s sins forgiven.

Expository Outlines from Luke (13. Jesus Is Anointed (Luke 7:36–50))

Christ is interested in physical death. He is also interested in spiritual death. When the Bible speaks of “spiritual death” it means separation from God. Sin always brings spiritual death. The forgiveness of sins is the greatest of all miracles. In this lesson Christ forgives a woman, and she shows her thanks and praise.

I. THE SINNER FACES CRITICISM—vv. 36–39

A Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet (7:36–39)

Jesus eats in a Pharisee’s home. A sinful woman enters the house during the meal and washes and wipes Jesus’ feet with oil, her tears, and her hair. The Pharisees are indignant over the episode and judge Jesus for allowing the woman to touch him.

1. Savior—v. 36. Jesus is invited to eat with the Pharisees. They were a religious group of Jews. Notice that Jesus ate with sinners. We must mix with sinners if we expect to win them to Christ. At the same time remembering that we are sinners too. The only difference being that we know the Father who forgives, the Son who is an advocate for us and the Holy Spirit our counselor.

2. Sinner—v. 37. A woman who was a prostitute, the worst of sinners, came to see Jesus. She brought an alabaster box of very expensive perfume. The Character of this Woman. “She was a sinner” (v. 37). Evidently a great sinner, for the Lord speaks of “her sins which are many” (v. 47). The Pharisee called her a sinner with emphasis (v. 39). Such a sinner as should not be touched; but Christ had to designate the Pharisees themselves as hypocrites (Luke 11:44 “Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.”)

She was a sinner, so was Simon, but she had this advantage, that she knew it, while he was proudly unconscious of it. The one owed five hundred pence, the other fifty, but in their relation to God they were both alike, “having nothing to pay.” “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. There is none righteous, no, not one.”

3. Sincerity —v. 38. She gave all she had. She washed the feet of Jesus with her tears. She wiped His feet with her hair. She kissed His feet. She anointed His feet with the perfume.

“Even in a spark there is fire.” Little faith may cling to an almighty Saviour. Faith is an operative energy of the soul that will not rest till the object desired has been grasped and enjoyed. Observe how it wrought in this woman. It constrained her to— Come to Jesus, Repent of her Sins, Show the tokens of her love.

“She stood at His feet behind Him weeping” (v. 38). When one stands at His feet and contrasts his own life with His the bitter tears of contrition are sure to fall. Seeing ourselves in His light is always a humbling revelation. Such tears are precious jewels in the sight of God; they tell of mountains of guilt flowing down at His presence (Isa. 64:1). What effect has your faith had in this direction?

The theological term “contrition” designates more than is found in these passages. It refers to the grief experienced as a consequence of the revelation of sin made by the preaching of the law. Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Je 23:29.

4. Shame—v. 39. The Pharisees were critical of Christ and the woman. Christ loves everyone. He died for all. We should hate sin, but love the sinner. 7:39 The woman’s behavior is socially awkward, and Simon judges Jesus for allowing her to touch him. The Pharisee questions how Jesus could be a prophet since he allows this woman to touch him.

Perhaps the sneer of the self-righteous Pharisees had awakened hope in her heart. “Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners” (v. 34). Her faith constrained her to draw near to Him without any personal invitation. Does such an act not put to shame the many who are still refusing the call of God? John 5:40 “yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”

II. THE SINNER MEETS THE CHRIST—vv. 40–47

1. Savior—v. 40. Christ speaks to Simon. (There are many different Simons in the New Testament.)

7:40 Jesus proves he is a prophet when he knows what Simon is thinking and has the ability to address Simon’s thought with a parable. However, Simon does not yet know this and invites Jesus to share with him whatever it is that the Lord has to say.

2. Story—vv. 41–43. Christ uses a story to explain a truth. Christ forgave this woman from many sins, so she was most thankful. 7:41–42 If two men owe the same man money, though vastly different amounts, and both men’s debts are canceled, which debtor will appreciate it the most?

3. Gratitude—vv. 44–46. This woman gave “her all” to Christ. 7:43 Simon correctly concludes that there is a direct relationship between love or gratitude and the amount of grace received.

a) She gave her savings—all her life savings in perfume.

b) She gave her service—a good test of Christianity.

c) She gave herself—she gave herself by worshiping Christ.

GRATITUDE IS A SIGN OF RECEIVING FORGIVENESS. This woman who was once sinful has received forgiveness in full and as a sign of gratitude she wipes Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume. This is her service. This is her ultimate way of letting go of the guilt at the feet of God. Letting go of the fear and doubt at the feet. Wiping Jesus’ feet is an automatic reaction to forgiveness.

Showing gratitude has to do with appreciating benefits received and expressing that thankfulness to others. True gratitude evidences itself by bringing joy to others and alleviating their discomfort.

Carol Kent

A New Kind of Normal (2007)

Carol Kent

“She kissed His feet, and anointed them with the ointment” (v. 38). Hers was the faith that worked by love. The kiss spoke of the affection of her heart, while the precious ointment poured out told of a willingness to consecrate her all to Him. The faith that does not work in this fashion is a dead faith (James 2:26). The lips of love must come into contact with Christ as well as the hands of faith. With the heart man believeth unto salvation.

4. Sins—v. 47. The woman’s sin, which was great, was forgiven by the Lord. 7:44–46 While Simon considers himself better than the woman, Jesus compares them and shows Simon that she has treated him much better than Simon has. 7:47 The reason for the woman’s actions is that she has a greater awareness of her indebtedness.

III. THE SINNERS CONVERSION—vv. 48–50

1. Pardon—v. 48. Christ forgives all sins. His blood forgives and cleanses each sin (1 John 1:7; see also Ps. 103:3).

FORGIVEN. “Thy sins are forgiven” (v. 48). She was forgiven much, for she loved much. There was a great difference between the cold, calculating belief of Simon and the simple, loving, heartful faith of the woman. She came, and with her tears and kisses she reasoned together with her Lord, and her sins, which were as scarlet, were made white as snow Isaiah 1:18“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” What encouragement for the wicked to forsake their ways is found in His abundant pardon! Isaiah 55:7 “let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

ASSURED. “Thy faith hath saved thee” (v. 50). Faith in Christ not only saved her from the guilt of sin, but also from the tyranny of its power. She was now freed from the very love of sin. His grace saved her, His Word assured her. It was not the tears of her eyes nor the kisses of her lips that saved her, but the faith of her heart. By grace are ye saved through faith, and by the record given are we assured (1 John 5:11–13).

2. Problem—v. 49. The Jews criticized Christ for His claim to forgive sins. They did not accept Christ as the Messiah. Some were blind to the truth—others did not want to accept Christ. 7:49–50 The others at the meal question how Jesus can pronounce the woman’s sins forgiven, but Jesus explains in 7:50 that he has the prerogative to forgive sins on the basis of someone’s faith.

3. Peace—v. 50. Christ forgives the woman’s sin. With this pardon comes peace.

Christ can cleanse the worst of sinners. There are none “so bad” that Christ cannot forgive! He can save the “bad sinner” just as easily as He can save the “good sinner.” Love for God will cause us to a love the sinner. A person who does not love the sinner does not really love God. A person cannot really get near to Christ without loving the sinner.

300 Illustrations for Preachers (Grace for Washington’s Overdue Books)

Grace for Washington’s Overdue Books

Romans 3:23–24

Preaching Themes: Forgiveness, God_Grace, Mercy

New York City’s oldest library’s ledgers show that if George Washington were alive today, he might owe a huge fine for overdue books. The library says Washington checked out the Law of Nations, along with a volume containing transcripts of debates from Britain’s House of Commons. The books were due November 2, 1789, but there is no record Washington ever returned them. Mark Bartlett, head librarian of the New York Society Library says the institution is not seeking the 220 years worth of late fees. He suggested the library would love to get the books back if they were located.

—Jim L. Wilson and Jim Sandell

Go in peace with God, because justified by faith Romans 5:1“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Go in the peace of God, because now a child of God and an heir to the kingdom. Go and publish the Gospel of peace, as an ambassador for Him, who is the Prince of Peace, and who has made peace by the blood of His Cross. Go in peace back to your home and to your associates in sin as a messenger of mercy, telling them what great things He hath done for thy soul. Thy faith hath saved thee, go! There is an aspect of being commissioned by God to spread the Gospel after receiving forgiveness.